-In the Gio National Forest
By: Shallon S. Gonlor |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
SANNIQUELLIE CITY, Nimba County — About seven Liberian and five Burkinabe nationals have been indicted for multiple crimes, including theft of property, criminal mischief, economic sabotage, and criminal conspiracy. The indictment stems from their alleged involvement in deforestation and farming activities in the Gio National Forest situated in Central Nimba County.
The Gio National Forest has been encroached upon by farmers and foreigners over the years. There have been mounting concerns over the depletion of the forest due to persistent farming activities within the reserve, despite strict rules banning farming in preserved forestland. The Gio National Forest located in Sarlay Town, Tappita Statutory District, is surrounded by Doe Clan, Boe and Quillah, and Kparblee Administrative District.
Established in 1960, it covers an area of about 327 km square — making it one of the largest forests in Liberia’s south-eastern region. The grand jurors of Nimba County, sitting in its February 2026 Term of Court, following their hearing, presented a true bill in the case against the nationals for flagrant violation of Chapter 15; Sections 15.80, 15.51, and 15.5 of the New Penal Law of Liberia.
Among the Liberian nationals are Sabara Gonkartee, Harris Kahn, Peter Dolo, Harrison Karway, and B.K. Sirway, Tenneh, and Estine Leweah, while the five Burkinabes are Pala Daniel, Pala Thoma, Kamu Larnie, Karmu Diness, and Karmu Sei. The Ministry of Justice, through the County Attorney of Nimba County, in an eight-count indictment, avers that during the period from 2019 to the end of 2025, the defendants intentionally, criminally, and without permit from any requisite institution engaged in illegal farming activities in the area.
“The defendants intentionally, criminally, and without permit from any requisite institution of Liberian Government, entered the Gio National Forest, managed by the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB) of Boe & Quillah Administrative District and engaged in illegal farming activities in the National Reserved Forest, thereby destroying, misusing, and depleting the National Forest by farming cocoa, plantain, and pit sawing, causing deforestation and endangering plants and wildlife species.”
Disregarding the Forest Management Agreement (FMA) between the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB) and the Liberia Forestry Development Authority (FDA), the Liberian nationals, along with their Burkinabe counterparts, allegedly engaged in the massive destruction of 8,100 acres of the National Reserve Forest, to the detriment of the affected communities. The indictment states that despite several communications, discussions, negotiations, and dialogues led by the local authority of the county with the defendants, they failed to comply and continued with the unlawful operation within the Gio National Forest.
According to the indictment, the damages done by means of pit sawing, farming of cocoa, plantain, and others are estimated at Two Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (USD 200,000), from which the Liberian and Burkina Faso nationals directly benefited illegally, to the detriment of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and the Community Forest Management Body (CFMB) of Liberia.
The defendants are meanwhile expected to have their day in court, accorded due process during the upcoming May 2026 Term of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County. However, the Ministry of Justice has vowed to prosecute the case, and hold accountable those responsible for the destruction of Liberia’s forests.
The Gio National Forest, a vital ecosystem and source of livelihood for local communities, has been under threat from illegal farming and logging activities. The arrest of the Liberian and Burkinabe nationals is seen as a significant breakthrough in the government’s efforts to curb environmental crimes and protect the country’s natural heritage.
