PHOTO: Survivor John Wreh, now walking with crutches
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
In what appears to be very strange to many, a survivor or torture in Liberia’s southeastern Sinoe County is against penalty for those who allegedly subjected him to the cruel treatment recently.
Commissioner John Wreh, alias “JB” of Jedepo Statutory District in Sinoe is now compelled to walk with crutches as a result of the maltreatment he suffered.
But he has rejected the Prosecution of those who subjected him to “Sassywood”, trial by ordeal, something that raised serious concern among citizens.
The brutal treatment of the man, who is identified as John Wreh, was captured on a disturbing video footage, as perpetrators of the act said he was being subjected to the traditional “Sassywood“—trial by ordeal in Jedepo.
FLASHBACK: Image of the brutality Mr. Wreh suffered
This is a form of torture, which is a human rights violation under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Liberian law. And torture is defined as, the action or practice of inflicting severe pain or suffering on someone as a punishment or in order to force them to do or say something.”
The incident occurred earlier this (Saturday, July 31, 2021), but the information emerged weeks later.
https://web.facebook.com/messenger_media/?thread_id=100012014989244&attachment_id=2893693780946140&message_id=mid.%24cAAAABsZ3tp6BPwF6w17Da1FA2Q6wVIDEO and still photo of the scene
Survivor Wreh, who is in his late 60s, has even declined to go to the office of the County Attorney after some suspects including the County Education Officer were taken to police station to make their statement but following a mounted pressure on him by the County Attorney, it was when he declared that he doesn’t want for his alleged perpetrators to be prosecuted.
Police have charged the suspected perpetrators of the act with multiple offenses ranging from Aggravated assault, Criminal conspiracy and criminal mischief but can’t be sent to court because the survivor refused for those involved to be prosecuted.
Those charged are Sadetah (the herbalist), Keh Wiah, Sundayboy Toko, Kiyee Weah, and Arthur Wiah with aggravated assault. Co-Defendants Thompson Satakon, Timothy Satakon, Anthony Wiah, Morris Kung, Milton Sayee and Alphonso Kanboh with Criminal Conspiracy. The Herbalist is at large, therefore he was charged in absentia. A writ of arrest has been served on them.
But the survivor of the torture has disclosed to the County Attorney that he wants reparation, in order for him to take care of his health and repairing his damaged houses.
He however remained adamant, thus making the County Attorney who has applied several efforts in getting the suspects appeared as the bad guy, knowing the makeup of these defendants, who include a traditional priest.
Nothing more can be done about his situation but rather he was asked by the County Attorney to do a waiver if he wish as a way of saving his (the County Attorney’s) reputation.