Monrovia — Practically a yr after the brutal killing of Monyoungor Keleko in Duogomai City, members of her household say justice in court docket has not translated into security, as reported threats and lingering concern now form their each day lives.
Keleko, 45, was discovered lifeless on December 31, 2024, alongside a farm highway in Duogomai City, Lofa County. The killing sparked widespread neighborhood outrage that pressured authorities to behave. Following an investigation, the tenth Judicial Circuit Courtroom in Voinjama returned responsible verdicts towards three males: Aaron Kollie, 52, and Emmanuel Flomo, 52, who had been every sentenced to life imprisonment, and Lamine Flomo, 24, who acquired a 5‑yr jail sentence. The convictions adopted a trial on costs together with homicide, legal conspiracy, and felonious restraint, in response to court docket information.
Controversy and Unresolved Questions
Regardless of the convictions, the investigation was overshadowed by controversy. On January 6, 2025, 19‑yr‑previous Yarkpawolo Moisema, recognized by police as a principal suspect, died whereas in custody on the Voinjama Police Depot. Authorities initially reported that Moisema died by suicide. Nonetheless, an post-mortem carried out in March 2025, later dominated his dying “unnatural,” prompting the Ministry of Justice to announce a proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding his dying.
Moisema’s dying intensified public mistrust. Some residents alleged that he had been making ready to supply a full confession previous to his dying, although no official affirmation has been offered. On the identical time, unverified claims circulated linking the case to the then Performing Immigration Commissioner Basic Elijah F. Rufus. Rufus publicly denied any involvement, describing the allegations as “far‑fetched” and distancing himself from the occasions in Duogomai City, as reported by FrontPage Africa and other outlets.
The controversy drew nationwide consideration. Consultant Gizzie Kollince of Lofa County formally communicated with the Home of Representatives, calling for transparency and accountability from the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Nationwide Police relating to Moisema’s dying and the unresolved disappearance of one other resident in Konia City, Lofa County.
In response to heightened pressure, the Ministry of Inner Affairs, alongside Lofa County Superintendent J. Laveleh Massaquoi and Consultant Kollince, conducted a follow‑up visit to Duogomai City on January 9, 2025. The delegation sought to calm residents, reaffirm the federal government’s dedication to investigating Moisema’s dying, and encourage neighborhood cooperation with authorities, in response to Ministry of Inner Affairs statements.
Unease Because the Verdict and Sentencing
As the primary anniversary of Monyoungor Keleko’s killing approaches, unease has resurfaced inside her household. Sources near the household report that warnings and rumors have circulated in components of the neighborhood, suggesting that people perceived to have performed key roles in securing the convictions might face retaliation.
Amongst these talked about is Ericson Kolia Keleko, recognized to his household as Kolia. Family say he has intentionally maintained a low profile and that his reluctance to talk publicly displays warning quite than denial of threat. Ericson traveled from Monrovia to Lofa County in April and Could 2025 — his first go to since March 2013 — to quietly go to household and comply with developments associated to the case.
When contacted, Ericson described repeated threats acquired by unknown or personal telephone numbers, however he hadn’t seen it to be something to be scared about. He stated callers generally posed as family members checking on his wellbeing, whereas others issued direct warnings. Since he hardly answered calls from unfamiliar numbers, the calls shifted to his sister. One such name, he stated, occurred on October 7, 2025, throughout which his sister was insulted and threatened.
“I initially dismissed the warnings as emotional reactions from family members of the convicted males, believing they might finally settle for the verdicts. Nonetheless, the persistence of such actions in October, mixed with data shared by household sources and now an inquiry from a media outlet as FPA, I have to reassess the seriousness of the state of affairs.”
In accordance with Ericson, a caller posing as a relative questioned him about his journey to Lofa County after greater than a decade, telling him if he went there relating to the case, he ought to know some issues will “not go unanswered.” Different warnings, he stated, invoked conventional practices meant to hurt or render him ineffective. He linked the threats to a broader household historical past, noting that his mom died underneath equally mysterious circumstances in Lofa County in February 2013, a case that was by no means resolved and which partly motivated his dedication to lend his assist to his cousin’s case.
For related causes, Ericson stated he relocated his elder sister from Konia, Lofa County, to Montserrado County greater than two years in the past. Though he has not formally reported the threats to the Liberia Nationwide Police, he stated he has merely continued to train warning and take precautionary measures knowledgeable by recommendation, limiting social actions and avoiding predictable routines. He added that he was clearly warned Monrovia shouldn’t be assumed to be a assured secure haven, a priority echoed by relations nonetheless residing in Lofa County.
Reflecting on the emotional toll, Ericson stated the state of affairs has affected each facet of his life particularly since he had chosen to stay silent about it given his dislike for public consideration, particularly on such issues. Whereas he feels comparatively secure at work, he described what can be termed as fixed stress outdoors acquainted environments, saying he has withdrawn socially and now views unfamiliar folks as potential threats, significantly prolonged family members.
Our supply emphasised that the reported warnings have to be taken critically, significantly in mild of Liberia’s historical past of unresolved violent deaths and quiet retaliatory acts. The supply believes that he and different relations who supported the pursuit of justice should proceed to train warning.
A Sample Past Lofa
The unease surrounding the Keleko case mirrors broader nationwide considerations over unexplained deaths and unresolved violence. In Maryland County between Could and June 2025, two males — George Ok. Nah, 26, and Daniel D. Charlie, 64 — had been found dead in Manolu City inside days of one another, prompting police investigations amid public concern. In Ganta, Nimba County, 45‑year‑old Papie Darlor was discovered lifeless on April 8, 2025, with ropes tied round his physique, one among a number of incidents that alarmed residents.
In Monrovia in late 2024, the death of Anwar Futloo drew scrutiny after journalists masking the case had been questioned by police, elevating press freedom considerations. Earlier, in October 2020, four senior government auditors — Emmanuel Barten Nyeswua, Albert Peters, Gifty Lama, and George F. Fanbutu — died underneath suspicious circumstances inside a single week, a case that is still unresolved.
Moreover, knowledge from the Unbiased Nationwide Fee on Human Rights (INCHR) exhibits multiple mob killings in Lofa County in 2024, with no arrests reported.
Presidential Directive and Public Expectation
On the first Cupboard assembly of 2025 on March 3, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai ordered a complete investigation into unresolved instances of mysterious deaths and disappearances throughout the nation, stressing that no such case ought to be ignored. The directive positioned renewed scrutiny on legislation enforcement and justice establishments, in response to statements from the Executive Mansion.
Echoing the President’s name, famend human rights lawyer and legal legislation professor Cllr. Tiawan S. Gongloe warned that unresolved deaths pose a direct risk to public belief and nationwide stability. Talking publicly days later, Gongloe urged the government to maneuver past declarations and guarantee thorough, unbiased investigations into all suspicious deaths, cautioning that selective or delayed motion would deepen concern and impunity, as reported.
Justice With out Peace
Whereas no secret society has been formally or instantly linked to the Keleko case, perception in clandestine teams influencing violence and retaliation stays widespread in lots of Liberian communities. These perceptions, formed by historical past, rumor, and unresolved instances, proceed to affect how threats and unexplained deaths are understood.
For the Keleko household, the court docket’s verdicts delivered accountability however not peace. The case displays a broader actuality confronting many Liberians: justice secured by the courts doesn’t at all times assure peace and security afterward. As warnings persist and questions stay unanswered, Ericson Kolia Keleko and household proceed to stay cautiously, conscious that concern typically lingers lengthy after judgments are handed down.
