PHOTO: John Wreh now cannot move about without crutches
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Perpetrators of the recent brutal torture and humiliation meted out against a man in Sinoe County are yet to face justice, due to what is said to be lack of manpower and logistics that have prevent the state security apparatus from arresting them.
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, Liberia’s southeastern Sinoe County.
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.”
FLASHBACK: Image of the brutality Mr. Wreh suffered
The man was accused by traditionalists of being responsible for the deaths of two others, as well the disappearance of a teenager who went missing for over a week.
From the video recording of the ordeal in the possession of www.newspublictrust.com, the man was taken in the middle of the town and surrounded by a huge crown and being mercilessly mad handled on that ground he is a witch.
https://web.facebook.com/messenger_media/?thread_id=100012014989244&attachment_id=2893693780946140&message_id=mid.%24cAAAABsZ3tp6BPwF6w17Da1FA2Q6wVIDEO and still photo of the scene
Now the victim, Mr. Wreh, alias “JB”, who suffered a broken leg and is using crutches, has been explaining his ordeal to the Liberia National Police. It is now known that the man is his 60s.
The incident happened on June 8, 2021 and the torture victim was taken to Government camp few days ago.
Traditionalists were also seen with group of cane tied together and putting it in the fire and using it to beat him on his body.
After using the cane, they later went for three eddo stalks and also beat on him with it, while another man was seen standing on his toes with rain boots and a second man was standing on his neck with his rain boots, as the victim wept saying. “I’m dying.
According to information gathered, on a visit to the office of the County Attorney, the survivor of the torture narrated that his home was broken down and all of his belongings were destroyed as a result of the violent act meted out against him.
Currently, he has sought temporary sanctuary in the government camp.
The survivor has given his statement to the police base on what occurred and investigation is underway.
It is said that the community where the torture occurred is a hostile terrain where even the security apparatus can’t easily reach, especially in the midst of lack of logistics and manpower.
However, local authorities have vowed to bring the perpetrators to book, but will exercise cautious, given the hostility of the group.
History of similar actions
Similar acts of trial by ordeal or mob justice have taken place in the southeastern Liberia in recent times.
Recently, a 41-year-old Nigerian national identified as Chuman Dennis was allegedly flogged by traditionalists on allegation of selling of narcotics substances in Joe village, Sinoe County.
Chuman Dennis was reportedly tied to a tree and flogged, and his ordeal is said to have lasted for some 24 hours before police intervention.
Records have proven that this is the third time an incident of traditional group brutalizing citizens in the county since 2020 November.
Last year, three women were stripped naked in Numopoh Kpanyan statutory district for alleged witchcraft activities, something that led to the death of one after being rape allegedly.
Another incident of such took place in Grigsby farm, Butaw district where a lady private part was set at blaze after being strapped naked for allegedly being engaged in ritualistic acts, locally referred to as “heart-man” activities.