Published: June 8, 2026
MONROVIA — Certified court and police records show that Cllr. Bestman Juah, president of the Public Defenders Association of Liberia, was never counsel for any defendant in the human trafficking and fraud case before Criminal Court “A,” directly refuting social media claims that he tried to influence the release of some of the accused.
Records reviewed from the Paynesville Magisterial Court, the Liberia National Police’s Trafficking in Persons Section and Criminal Court “A” contain no reference to Juah as counsel of record at any stage of the proceedings. The allegations against him had been amplified by commentaries and reports published by FrontPage Africa and New Narratives.
Documents from preliminary hearings held between October and November 2025 at the Paynesville Magisterial Court identify Atty. Prince S. Conway as one of the lawyers who initially appeared for the defendants. Filings tied to a March 18, 2026, bail hearing list Cllr. Mamee S. W. Gongba Jr., Cllr. David M. Kolleh Jr. and Cllr. Pelvis Dolopei of the Liberty Law Firm as the attorneys representing the accused. No filing reviewed by reporters links Juah to the matter as defense counsel, adviser or party.
Judicial authorities confirmed Thursday that all defendants formally charged remain in the custody and jurisdiction of Criminal Court “A,” dismissing rumors that any had been quietly released through outside influence. Sources within the police Trafficking in Persons Section called the allegations against Juah “completely unfounded” and unsupported by investigative records.
“The allegations are false, misleading, and intended to damage the credibility of individuals who are not connected to the investigation,” one police source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly. The Ministry of Justice reaffirmed that the case would proceed strictly under Liberian law. “The trial process will proceed free from outside interference, and all actions taken by the court remain matters of public record,” a justice sector source said Thursday.
The case originated from complaints filed in 2025 by several Nimba County residents who said they were defrauded with promises of overseas travel. Prosecutors allege the complainants paid more than US$100,000 to the accused for travel they were told would take them to Canada. Instead, according to the indictment, they were taken to a private compound in Paynesville, Montserrado County, and compelled to take part in an online marketing operation.
Defendants named in the indictment include Daniel David, Preston Y. Logan, Boimah Saweah, Johnny Dahn, Shirley Suah, Bill Dorkor, Jerome Genseh and several others. They face charges including trafficking in persons, theft of property, rape, criminal facilitation and misapplication of entrusted property. Following their arrest in September 2025, all were remanded at Monrovia Central Prison. A bail motion argued before Criminal Court Assizes “E” on March 18, 2026, remains under reserved ruling, and no trial date has been set.
Criminal Court “A,” presided over by Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie, has scheduled the next hearing for Monday, June 8, 2026, to address pending pretrial motions and questions of legal representation. The Liberia National Police has urged media outlets and the public to verify allegations through official court records before publication. “Due process requires that accusations be supported by evidence filed before the court,” the Trafficking in Persons Section said. “Linking individuals not named in official documents interferes with the rights of both complainants and defendants.”
Under Article 21(h) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, all accused persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
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