A wave of violent motorbike robberies in Ganta City has ended with a decisive court ruling, as Judge Serena F. Garlawolu sentenced defendant Lee Menyen to 30 years in prison for a series of brutal crimes.
Presiding over the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Nimba County, Judge Garlawolu found Menyen guilty of armed robbery, attempted murder, and aggravated assault. The conviction follows multiple attacks in which the defendant targeted motorcyclists, using a cutlass to inflict serious injuries before stealing their bikes.
Victims Forkie Gonyon and Blessing S. Dolo were among those assaulted, both sustaining severe wounds. Testimonies and evidence presented during the trial directly linked Menyen to the violent incidents that had alarmed residents of Ganta.
The case reached the court after the Nimba County Attorney’s Office issued a formal indictment, prompting the court to release a writ of arrest on April 20, 2026. The Sheriff executed the warrant in accordance with the law, ensuring Menyen’s appearance for prosecution.
Although Menyen initially pleaded guilty, the court entered a not guilty plea on his behalf to ensure that the prosecution fully established its case. County Attorney Cllr. John D. Miah led the prosecution, presenting two witnesses whose accounts supported the charges.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Garlawolu cited relevant provisions of Liberia’s criminal law. Menyen received 20 years for armed robbery, five years for attempted murder, and five years for aggravated assault, bringing the total sentence to 30 years of imprisonment.
The ruling sends a strong message against violent crime in the region, particularly attacks targeting commercial motorcyclists, who remain a vital part of local transportation.
