Pleebo, Maryland County – April 14, 2025 – The Pleebo Magisterial Court has delivered a significant judgment in a disturbing case of attempted child trafficking, sentencing 38-year-old Joshua B. Odarbeh, a resident of Garraway, Grand Kru County, to one year of imprisonment. Odarbeh was found guilty of attempting to sell his 11-year-old biological son.
Court documents revealed that the Liberia National Police (LNP) apprehended Odarbeh on March 20, 2025, following a thorough investigation. This investigation uncovered a conspiracy in which Odarbeh sought to sell his son, identified as Prosperous Odarbeh, to Abraham Weah, a local businessman known in Pleebo City as “DJ Cassava Leaf.”
During the solemn proceedings of the trial, Odarbeh himself admitted under oath to engaging in discussions with Mr. Weah concerning the sale of his young son in exchange for monetary compensation. Despite his subsequent expression of deep remorse and a plea for leniency from the court, the presiding magistrate firmly ruled that his actions constituted a clear violation of the New Penal Law of Liberia, specifically the serious offense of attempting to Commit Human Trafficking.
The verdict was delivered on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, with the magistrate stating unequivocally that Odarbeh would be required to serve the full one-year prison sentence without any possibility of parole. This resolute decision underscores the gravity with which the court viewed the attempted crime.
Speaking to members of the press shortly after the court’s pronouncement, the City Solicitor expressed his commendation for the firm stance taken by the judiciary. “Liberia needs responsible citizens who are committed to building our nation – not individuals who engage in criminal acts,” he asserted. “This sentence sends a powerful and unambiguous message that human trafficking, in any of its abhorrent forms, will not be tolerated within our society.”
The details of this case have understandably ignited widespread public concern and outrage across Maryland County. Residents and various civil society organizations have voiced their deep unease and are collectively calling for a significant increase in public awareness campaigns focused on child protection and fundamental human rights. Many citizens have openly applauded the Pleebo Magisterial Court for its swift and decisive action in addressing a matter that has deeply shaken the local community.
As discussions and reflections on this case continue to permeate the county, child protection advocates are urgently imploring local authorities to intensify their efforts in several crucial areas: comprehensive education initiatives to raise awareness about child trafficking and exploitation, robust law enforcement measures to prevent and prosecute such crimes, and proactive community engagement programs to foster a culture of child safety and well-being. The hope is that through these concerted efforts, similar tragic incidents can be prevented in the future, safeguarding the most vulnerable members of society.
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