PHOTO: Two ring leaders of the group outside the court
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- Leaders of a notorious criminal gang group here in the Liberia called,”Kubah” have been found guilty of armed robbery and criminal attempt to commit murder by the trial jurors of the Criminal Court “D”.
The guilty verdict was handed down through a majority decision by the jury late this week (Thursday January 20, 2022), holding the group responsible for string of armed robberies and criminal attacks on peaceful cities in Monrovia and its environs in recent years.
The group, which they named and styled “Kubah by heart and gbelleh by face,” are guilty of ten out of twelve charges levied against them.
Their charges range from criminal attempt to commit murder, criminal conspiracy, criminal facilitation, aggravated assault, criminal mischief and armed robbery.
The trial which lasted for more than one month was presided over by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie ended today Wednesday January 20,2022 with a majority guilty verdict.
During the trial proceedings, state prosecutors produced four general witnesses and two rebuttal witnesses, while the seven defendants testified on their own behalf.
The state was represented by Cllr. Arthur T. Johnson, Cllr. Aloysius Allison and Atty. Alex T. Johnson and while the defendants were represented by Atty. Garrrison D. Yealue Jr.
The gang leader of the notorious “Kubah” group, Varney Kiazolu, alias “Azonto” and five other persons have appeared in court in the Criminal Court ‘D’ presided over by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie this week.
But trial couldn’t commence on Wednesday due to incomplete petty jurors, as they are being charged with armed robbery.
Armed robbery is a capital offense and felony of the first degree.
The court said that the case will resume next Monday, November 22, 2021, as the panel of jurors is expected to be completed by then, in order to commence the hearing of the case.
Though several jurors were selected, several were rejected by the defense lawyer, Garrison Doldeh Yealue.
The state was represented by former Maryland County Attorney Cllr. Alyosius Allison, Atty. Alex T. Johnson, Atty. Wilson Natt and others.
Background
The Liberia National Police (LNP) in Monrovia in January 2021, arrested a notorious gang leader and seven of its member for their constant terror, intimidation and harassment of peaceful residents in and out of Monrovia named Kubah.
The group has for a long time been terrorizing residents of mainly the Paynesville suburb of Monrovia, using fire arms and machetes. At a news conference at the LNP headquarters in Monrovia early January 2021, Police spokesperson H. Moses Carter said his agency has made a successful crackdown on this “notorious organized gang group named and styled, KUBAH with the slogan Gbelleh-by-face, KUBAH by heart.”
Police arrested eight persons to include the gang’s, dangerous leader Varney Kiazolu alias “Azonto”.
The LNP said this notorious gang group has been operating in the Paynesville and its surrounding and even further at field beyond Montserrado County. They have been raining terror on many residents of Paynesville generally and specifically at Du-port junction community and GSA Road suburbs.
Kubah’s victims
In just a month’s time, the Liberia National Police says it has received lots of complainants through written accounts and radio information regarding this notorious and organized KUBAH gang.
KUBAH recently victimized a famous Liberian’s comedian, Paul Flomo, who was assaulted and armed robbed on December 18, 2020 on the Du-port Road during the night hours.
Another KUBAH victim, Emmanuel D.C. Freeman’s home attacked, looted and burnt down on 14thDecember 2020, in the Marshall community in Margibi County at 1600 hours GMT.
And Daniel Davies, alias DMX, a resident of Monrovia was also attacked and severely assaulted under his throat in a local bar at the Du-port road during the early morning hours of Tuesday, January 6,2021.
According to the police spokesman, during the crackdown, several membership forms of KUBAH and Single barrel guns were recovered and they are doing everything possible to locate those identified by photos and names on the said mentioned forms for Investigation.
Majority of the forms were said to have been filled in by members of this notorious group along with passport side photos, while the rest were blank.
Mr. Carter further added that you will care to note that those organized gang members of KUBAH have resolved to avail themselves to be hired for any form of criminality or criminal acts to settle scores with people who are in beef or confusion.
The Liberia National Police has also informed the public that one of its officers identified as Arnold Dixon was on the scene when victim Daniel Davies alias DMX were physically assaulted by the gang’s head, Azonto.
The policeman in question didn’t act as law enforcement who is charged with the responsibility of protecting life and property and therefore he has being turned over to the professional standard Division for further investigation.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police says it will not encourage any form or acts of lawlessness from anyone or individuals bent on terrorizing peaceful citizens and undermining the rule of law.
The notorious gang group were with Criminal attempt to commit murder, Criminal conspiracy, Criminal facilitation, aggravated assault, criminal mischief and armed robbery in violation of Chapter 10, 14&15, section 10.4 and 10.1,10.2, 14.20, 15.5 and Chapter 15 subchapter “C” section 15.32 of the revised penal law of the Republic of Liberia.