PHOTO: The Ganta warehouse that was set ablaze
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Four persons are standing trial in Nimba County in connection to the recent burning of a warehouse in Ganta, following a court ruling in a land conflict, as normal activities have since returned to this commercial hub, which is situated over 338 kilometer northeastern of Monrovia.
The conflict involved Fred Suah on one hand and the Sando, Jabateh, Donzo, and Koroma families on the other.
Those being tried are Dodee Donzo, Famatta Donzo, Mohammed Fofana and one Jabateh.
The court had ruled in favor of the Suah family before the violence erupted recently, bringing the entire commercial city was brought to a standstill.
Former Journalist Mike Jabateh is also due to be arraigned in court in Monrovia, after threatening to kill Chief Justice Francis Korkpor in connection to the land dispute, accusing Justice Korkpor of instigating it.
Mike Jabateh, civilian dressed in army camouflage
Over the weekend, the Press Union of Liberia issued a statement cautioning the public against linking the activities of Mark Jabateh to the media community, as his membership with the umbrella organization for journalists was terminated since 2020.
The PUL said it took the action against him then, after Mr. Jabateh openly declared he was joining the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) ahead of the December 2020 Special Senatorial Election.
Members of the PUL are strictly prohibited from joining any political party.
“Mr. Jabeteh is now a full political actor in Liberia and must be appropriately addressed as such,” the PUL said in statement under the signature of its President Charles Coffey.
Mr. Jabateh had been declared a wanted man by police after his threatening remarks.
Normal activities in the commercial city of Ganta were brought to a standstill on Tuesday April 20, 2021, following a landmark ruling by the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in favor of the Suah family in the long standing land dispute.
The disturbances that ensued is said to have cost over 30 million Liberian dollars in property destruction and almost degenerated into a tribal feud.