PUL Advocates for the Release of Journalists Detained in Margibi County

Monrovia, Liberia: The Press Union of Liberia (PUL) is actively working to secure the release of two Liberian journalists based in Kakata, Margibi County, who are currently in detention. 

Journalists Elvis Gono from the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS) and Philip Gbana of Classic FM were detained on Monday, February 10, 2025, on charges of "Contempt of Court."

The newly appointed Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, Golda A. Bona Elliot, ordered their detention after they failed to produce the living body of a woman for whom they had acted as guarantors.

This woman had been arrested in September 2024 on allegations of damaging a vehicle’s windshield, a case related to a homicide, a PUL issued late Wednesday, February 12, 2025, under the signature of President Julius Kanubah.

At the time of her arrest, the woman was pregnant and unwell, and she required guarantors to secure her release while her case was pending for the November Term of Court. Both Gono and Gbana had committed to serving as guarantors and agreed to return the woman when requested by the Court.

PUL President Julius C. Kanubah

According to Margibi County Attorney Deddeh Wilson, the journalists did not comply with the Court's request to produce the woman, despite claims that they were contacted. Both journalists have denied ever being contacted by the Court.

On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, the woman, who is now a breastfeeding mother, was brought to Court by her family.

Following this, she was remanded to the Kakata Central Prison, where Gono and Gbana are also being held. Her baby was handed over to the grandmother for care.

The PUL is working diligently to complete the necessary legal paperwork to secure the journalists' release so they can return to their families and responsibilities.

The PUL extends its gratitude to Judge Golda A. Bona Elliot, her staff at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court, and Atty. Gabriel Ndupellar, the Assistant Minister for Corrections and Rehabilitation at the Ministry of Justice, for their assistance during this lengthy process.

Edited; E. Geedahgar Garsuah, Sr.