Court Convicts Peter Bon Jallah Of Statutory Rape, Kidnapping; Acquits Him Of Gang Rape

Monrovia, Liberia: Criminal Court “E” at the Temple of Justice has convicted 63-year-old Peter Bon Jallah of statutory rape and kidnapping in a case involving a 16-year-old boy, while acquitting him of the charge of gang rape.

The verdict was delivered Friday, October 23, 2026, by Judge Wesseh Alphonso Wesseh Sr., following the conclusion of final arguments by the prosecution and defense on Thursday.

The court’s decision to acquit Jallah of gang rape followed the prosecution’s failure to present the two other individuals allegedly implicated in the incident on Camp Johnson Road, according to information provided about the proceedings.

Following the verdict, Judge Wesseh ordered Jallah remanded at Monrovia Central Prison. However, the court had not announced the specific sentence to be imposed at the time of reporting.

Defense counsel Cllr. Wilfred Sayeh has announced plans to appeal the conviction before the Supreme Court of Liberia, indicating that the case may proceed to a higher judicial review.

During the trial, the prosecution presented 12 witnesses, including the complainant, police investigators, medical personnel and Rwandan forensic examiner Pascal Bavugirije. Prosecutors also relied on DNA findings linking Jallah’s profile to biological material recovered from four clothing exhibits.

However, the forensic examiner reportedly testified that the findings could not establish when or how the biological material was deposited. The defense challenged the prosecution’s evidence, pointing to alleged inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and limitations in the medical and forensic findings.

Jallah had pleaded not guilty to all charges. With the court finding him guilty of statutory rape and kidnapping but acquitting him of gang rape, the announced appeal is expected to place the trial court’s decision before the Supreme Court for further review.