By Solomon T Gaye
Report reaching this medium says eight persons have reportedly died as a result of trial by ordeal known as ‘sassy wood’ in Kwendin town in Nimba County.
Speaking to this paper via mobile phone, a concerned resident in Tappita City, Jacob Bantu, explained that Ivorian herbalist Ganyalay Gweh, resurfaced in Kwendin with her sassy wood which was tried on all he eight persons accused of being demonically possessed in the dark world.
According to Bantu, herbalist Gweh is presently in Kwendin Town heavily guarded by youth administering sassy wood to people accused of being possessed with demonic power and has even instructed the youth to arrest and bring before her those accused.
This is the second huge number of deaths by sassy wood bringing to 15 the total number of deaths in less than three months since August 2024, by the Ivorian female herbalist in that district.
During the beginning of August 2024, about seven persons died by sassy wood in the town of Gblor Dialah in the hands of the Ivorian herbalist Gweh; an action that sparked public outcry.
Since community radio stations reported the deaths of the eight victims, the entire county administration headed by Superintendent Kou Gono has not said a word to the public.
Herbalist Gweh was invited to Sanniquellie by the county administration early September, 2024, but was later released after meeting with Superintendent Gono.
Details surrounding the discussions held between the superintendent and the herbalist regarding the administration of sassy wood that has subsequently led to the deaths of the scores of residents in the county were not disclosed.
Speaking to this paper via mobile phone, Rebecca Tuah, she accused the county administration of being responsible for empowering herbalist Gweh to administer sassy wood in the district.
“Melvin Gbediah Duo is here impersonating as culture coordinator for native affairs operating court and taking huge money from peaceful citizens in the name of Ministry of Internal Affairs while herbalist Gweh who hails from Ivory Coast is going around in the district administering sassy wood and has killed a total of 15 persons,” Madam Tuah lamented.
When this paper contacted Doe commissioner Chris Joe, via mobile phone, he declined to comment on grounds that Kwendin Town is under commissioner Leeway Konah’s supervision.
When contacted via mobile phone, commissioner Leeway Konah answered and promised to call back but, never did up to press time.
This paper via mobile phone, contacted the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ county administrator, Daniel Zelpeh for comments, but the phone ring for over three minutes without response up to press time.
Given the gravity of the multiple death report by sassy wood, this paper again contacted the County Chairman of the Council of Chief, Robert Sehneah via mobile phone, the office assistant informed this paper that old man Sehneah is not well and hung up the phone.
It can be recalled that the administration of Justice by ordeal has long been a critical human right issue which human rights advocates have sternly spoken against.
It is believed that the dispensation of justice by ordeal has since been outlawed by Liberia’s jurisprudence.
However, it remains unclear as to under whose authority has this practice resurface taking away valuable lives of eight citizens without yet a justifiable explanation from county authority.
On the alleged operation of Melvin Gbediah Duo as culture coordinator for native affairs operating court in the name of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, such action contravenes the Liberian constitution.
Article 3 clearly states, “Liberia is a unitary sovereign state divided into counties for administrative purposes.
The form of government is Republican with three separate coordinate branches: the legislative, the Executive and Judiciary. Consistent with the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances, no person holding office in one of these branches shall hold office in or exercise any of the powers assigned to either of the other two branches except as otherwise provided in this Constitution; and no person holding office in one of the said branches shall serve on any autonomous public agency.”
