From Elton W. Tiah | GNN Correspondent | Grand Bassa County |
A driver of ArcelorMittal Liberia identified as Emmanuel K. Ballah, 55, was on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 arrested and jailed for allegedly raping 13 year girl in the concession areas of the company.
Speaking to our Correspondent in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, the mother of the victim, Madam Betty Pewee, said the incident occurred last week, but noted that the continuous delay from the police and families of the alleged perpetrator prompted her to go public.
She further disclosed that Ballah who is her neighbor in the residential area of ArcelorMittal Liberia in Buchanan, and said Ballah as a neighbor her daughter (The victim) and other kids normally provide service to him due to the travel of his wife outside the country.
Explaining her ordeal, Madam Pewee said, “Ballah is 55 years old and my children see him as their grandfather because every time we prepare food , we normal keep his, due to the absence of his wife, who was a very good friend to me when she was here in Liberia,” Madam Pewee in a distressed situation told reporters.
Explaining further, she said upon her arrival from Monrovia last week, her daughter told her that Ballah forcibly had sexual intercourse with her after she had gone to collect bread from him. She also asserted that her daughter was horridly taken to the hospital for checkup, where it was announced by health authority that her daughter had been tempered with sexually.
She mentioned that upon receiving the result, she quickly contacted Ballah and few other persons to hear from him as it relates to the allegation, adding, “He admitted to us that he did it, but asked for a compromise, a request I refused because my daughter’s life and future is involved,” she said.
She said she has been knowing Ballah for over seven (7) years, at that point he was considered as a brother to her, adding, “I was shocked when my daughter told me that Ballah raped her , I firstly didn’t believe her but the medical report and Ballah’s own statement got me to be frustrated in men.”
Madam Pewee stressed that she will not rest until justice prevails; adding that rape is becoming a normal thing for men in Liberia.
“I will not rest until the final result comes out from the court. If I was the president the best punishment for people who are involved into raping is to cut off their private parts “.
Meanwhile, Madam Amanda Hills, ArcelorMittal Liberia communication Director confirmed to our report via phone that they have taken action by turning over the alleged perpetrator to the police for investigation.
Madam Hills mentioned that the company will not tolerate any unsafe act in their company.
She asserted that the company is awaiting the final reports from the Liberia National Police before coming out with an official statement.
Emmanuel K. Ballah is currently behind bars at the Head Quarters of the Liberia National Police in Buchanan awaiting court trial.
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