-In Nimba County
SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba County, Liberia — Wessay W. Weah, a 55-year-old father of eight and former police patrolman with approximately 20 years of service, has been found guilty of statutory rape of a 16-year-old girl.
A 12-member trial jury returned a 9–3 majority guilty verdict on Monday, August 17, 2026, following deliberations and consideration of evidence presented during the trial. The verdict was delivered before the Sexual Offenses Division of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, where the trial commenced on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Following the verdict, Resident Circuit Judge Musa S. Sidibey disbanded the jury, scheduling final judgment and sentencing for Thursday, August 27, 2026 — ordering the Division of Probation of the Ministry of Justice to conduct a presentence investigation and submit its report to inform the court’s final judgment.
The trial began after Weah entered a plea of not guilty following the reading of the indictment by the court clerk and the empanelment of a 15-member jury. During the proceedings, the prosecution presented five witnesses, including the 16-year-old alleged victim, her mother, a police investigator, a medical examiner, and the victim’s grandmother.
The witnesses testified on behalf of the State before the prosecution rested its case. After the prosecution concluded its presentation, the defendant, Wessay W. Weah waived his constitutional and statutory right to testify in his own defense. The defense relied on Sections 2.5 and 2.6 of Chapter 2 of Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, which recognize an accused person’s privilege against being compelled to testify in a criminal proceeding.
The defense subsequently asked the court to instruct the jury that the defendant’s decision not to testify should not be interpreted as an admission of guilt or considered evidence against him. The defense argued that the decision was a fundamental legal and constitutional privilege available to every person accused of a crime.
Resident Circuit Judge Musa S. Sidibey granted the defense request, holding that the defendant’s decision not to testify was a fundamental right recognized under Liberian law and protected by Article 21(h) of the Liberian Constitution.
The Indictment
According to the indictment filed by the Ministry of Justice through the Nimba County Attorney, the alleged incident occurred in the early morning hours of May 9, 2026, while the teenager was being held at the Ganta Police Depot. Prosecutors allege that the minor had initially been taken to the police station after a parent reported that money was allegedly missing from the family’s mobile money business.
The indictment states that on Friday, May 8, 2026, the girl’s parent reported the alleged theft to the Women and Children Protection Section in Ganta. Following the report, the teenager was reportedly placed in protective police custody while the matter was being investigated.
Officer Wessay W. Weah, who was then assigned to the WACPS, was allegedly responsible for supervising and providing security for the juvenile during her stay at the police facility. However, prosecutors alleged that rather than protecting the minor, Weah sexually assaulted her while on duty.
The alleged assault reportedly occurred during the early morning hours while the teenager remained in police custody. After the girl left the facility and returned to her family, she reportedly disclosed the alleged incident to relatives, prompting a report to law enforcement authorities.
The Liberia National Police subsequently investigated the allegation, leading to Weah’s arrest and detention, according to the prosecution’s case. The alleged victim was also taken to a medical facility for examination, with medical findings later presented as part of the prosecution’s evidence.
Victim Testifies in Open Court
The 16-year-old victim testified before the court and recounted the circumstances surrounding her detention and the alleged assault. According to her testimony, her mother took her to the police Women and Children Protection Section in Ganta on May 8 after accusing her of transferring money from her phone.
She told the court that she remained at the police station overnight and that it was raining heavily at the time. The teenager testified that at approximately 3:00 a.m. midnight, while she was under officer Weah’s supervision, the former patrolman allegedly removed her from the cell and took her to another room where a mattress was located.
She alleged that Weah attempted to have sexual intercourse with her and that she initially resisted his advances. According to her account, despite her resistance, the defendant allegedly proceeded with the sexual act.
She further testified that she believed she and Weah were the only people present at the depot at the time of the alleged incident.
Alleged Escape from Police Depot
The teenager told the court that after the alleged assault, Wessay Weah instructed her to wash herself in a bathroom. She further alleged that she was later placed in a corridor of the police station. According to her testimony, the following day, Weah left the station to fetch water, creating an opportunity for her to leave the facility.
The teenager said she escaped and went to her grandmother’s residence, from where she contacted her mother. Her mother subsequently reported the allegation to the police, according to testimony presented during the trial. The girl’s mother also testified, corroborating portions of her daughter’s account regarding the circumstances that led to the teenager being taken to the police station and how the family later learned of the alleged assault.
Verdict and Sentencing
After hearing the evidence and receiving the parties’ arguments, the 12-member jury deliberated and returned a 9–3 majority guilty verdict against Weah on Monday, August 17, 2026. The verdict brings the trial phase of the case to an end, but the court has scheduled sentencing for August 27, 2026.
Before then, the Ministry of Justice’s Division of Probation is expected to complete a pre-sentence investigation and submit its findings to the court. Weah remains subject to the court’s final judgment and sentencing.
