The Minister of Labour has disclosed that the Liberia National Police, through its Women and Children Protection Section in Grand Gedeh County, has formally charged Esther Bawo, a 35-year-old Liberian lady and resident of Monrovia, with Interference with Child Custody and Human Trafficking.
Speaking Monday, June 2, 2025, Labour Minister Cooper Kruah said the police report states that on May 24, 2025, at approximately 10:30 AM, the accused, Esther Bawo, was apprehended after she allegedly transported three minors and two adults from Monrovia to Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, without the knowledge or consent of their parents.
The transported persons identified as Princess Weah, aged 18, Blessing Gozuba aged 14, Falmata Sheriff, aged 16 , Karyatu Bah aged 16, and Grace Paye, aged 20, were reportedly taken under the pretense of trading purposes.
According to Minister Kruah, a thorough investigation established that Ms. Bawo failed to inform or seek consent from the girl’s families before relocating them. Upon arrival in Zwedru, she kept the girls at her residence, where she intended for them to live with her permanently.
He said the act constitutes a violation of: Section 14.53 of the revised Penal Code of Liberia (Interference with Child Custody) Section (3) of the Revised Human Trafficking Act of 2021.
As a result, the Liberia National Police has officially charged Esther Bawo under the aforementioned laws and forwarded her to the Zwedru Magisterial Court for prosecution.
He said the Government of Liberia remains committed to upholding the rights and protection of women and children and urges the public to report any suspected case of child abuse or trafficking to the nearest police authority or the Ministry of Labour Trafficking in Persons’ hotline # 2883.
