By Moses J. Dawoe/Southeast Correspondent
The Pleebo Magisterial Court is currently holding a trial involving 14 members of the Jasper Grant United Methodist Church, who have been charged with multiple crimes, including disorderly conduct, simple assault, and gross insubordination.
The complaint filed on March 3, 2025, by Rev. Jelly Perkins, District Superintendent of Cape Palmas UMC, and Lay-Reader Klayhra George Ivy, the plaintiffs have taken the case to the Pleebo Magistrate Court seeking justice for alleged acts of disorderly conduct, simple assault, and gross insubordination committed by 14 senior members of the Jasper Grant United Methodist Church in Pleebo.
According to the Writ, the following individuals commanded to be arrested were Abel S. Wesseh, Marial Sebo, Alex Wheeder, Augustine G. Domu, Esther Kransyan, Roosevelt Toba, Thomas Nimely, Blama Sheriff, Henry Williams, Sirleaf Gray, Charles William, Francis K. Harris, Augustine Krah, and Joseph C. Blanyon. They are to be brought forthwith before the Pleebo City Magisterial Court, Pleebo City, Pleebo Sodoken District, Maryland County, Liberia, to answer charges of disorderly conduct, simple assault, and gross insubordination.
This action is based upon the oath and complaint filed by the Republic of Liberia, through the private prosecutor(s), in which it is substantially alleged as follows:
In violation of Sections 17.3 and 14.21 of the New Penal Law of Liberia, the plaintiffs allege that on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, in Pleebo Zone #1, Pleebo Sodoken District, Maryland County, Liberia, the named defendants, with criminal intent, purposely and willfully interrupted a church service while the pastor was on the pulpit preparing to preach.
The defendants allegedly entered the pulpit, hurled insults at the pastor, physically assaulted him, and disrupted the entire church service before forcibly removing him from the church.
The words allegedly used against the pastor included, “Are you a crazy man?” Their actions, described as cruel and malicious, violate the laws stated above, thereby warranting this writ of arrest.
The Pleebo Magisterial Court will commence trial into these allegations to adjudicate the case and restore peace amid rising tensions between pro–same-sex marriage and anti–same-sex marriage factions within the church.
Sources have informed this publication that the 2020–2024 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (Paragraphs 162D and 123) affirms that marriage is a “sacred, lifelong covenant that brings two consenting adults into union with one another and into a deeper relationship with God and the religious community.”
Additionally, the new directives mandate that all United Methodist Church conferences adhere to non-discrimination policies regarding LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring their full inclusion in church life as a prerequisite for accessing denominational financial and institutional support.
