By Solomon T. Gaye
In what now appears to be a normal yet unchecked regular human rights violations, sassy wood has again reportedly killed several persons, bringing the number to over dozens of citizens who have died by the administration justice by ordeal in Nimba County.
The family members of the victims have formally filed complaint with the LNP against herbalist Gweyee Contejam, for what they described as “willingly killing several innocent people with sassy wood by ordeal in Nimba county.”
Speaking to this paper via mobile phone, Moses Karngbe, a relation to one of victims, accused herbalist Gweyee for killing his elderly sister Ma Korto.
According to Karngbe, those allegedly killed by ordeal in the hands of the “Witch Doctor Gweyee, were buried in mass grave in Kwendin and this has generated fear among the residents in the district.
“The mass graved is presently in the town heavily guarded by the youth on grounds that nobody is allowed to photograph the graved,” the victim’s brother Moses Karngbe revealed.
“We are begging the government for justice regarding the innocent people killed and buried in a mass grave,” Karngbe further lamented.
Since the beginning of 2024, herbalist Gweyee’s sassy wood has allegedly killed over 12 under the watchful eyes of the county administration and is creating concerns among the residents over the alleged failure of the authority to intervene in the situation.
It can be recalled that at the beginning of September 2024, herbalist Gweyee’s administration of sassy wood sparked public outcry over the death of about six in Gblor Dialah, Nimba county.
Many residents of the County strongly believe that herbalist Gweyee is backed by some of the local authorities after returning from a courtesy visit in Sanniquellie at the invitation of superintendent Kou Gono.
When this paper contacted MIA County Administrator Daniel Zelkpeh, he disclosed that herbalist Gweyee has been turned over to the Liberia National Police for investigation by order of superintendent Kou Gono.
“Superintendent Kou Gono mandated me to turn the woman over to the police,” the county administrator, Zelkpeh declared.
When this medium followed up by contacting the police station in Sanniquellie, the Criminal Services Division (CSD) team of investigators confirmed that herbalist Gweyee is indeed in the custody of the police and is undergoing investigations.
In their formal joint complaint to the police, “Moses Karngbe, Charles B. Zuo complained to the police of alleged trial by ordeal (sassy wood) in Kwendin town that left several innocent people dead and subsequently buried in mass grave,” CSD disclosed.
“Police named Edward B. Yarkollo, Ma Korto, Nohn Kohnway, George Kesseh, as victims allegedly killed and buried in mass grave”, CSD investigators disclosed.
CSD sources have informed this medium that investigation is ongoing into the case, adding, “our team needs to visit the crime site to see the mass grave.”
Meanwhile the accused herbalist Gweyee denied all allegations levied against her and attempts by this reporter to speak directly with the accused during a fact-finding visit in Sanniquellie failed as she refused to speak to the press.
It could not be independently verified whether the accused was acquainted with her Miranda right (the right to remain silent…) for which she refused to speak to the press.
Given the death toll which the county continues to bear through the administration of justice by ordeal, which is outlawed, all eyes are on the police and the county administration regarding the outcomes of the case.
