By Shallon S. Gonlor | shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — Lee Meayean, a 19-year-old high-profile motorbike robber in Gompa (Ganta) City, Nimba County has pleaded guilty in open court to multiple charges including aggravated assault and criminal attempt to commit murder.
The 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie opened trial in the case on Monday, May 18, 2026. After the indictment was read by the court clerk, Defendant Meayean entered a guilty plea. However, Assigned Presiding Judge Serena F. Garlawolu set the plea aside and ordered a fact-finding trial, as required under Liberia’s Criminal Procedure Law, Title 2, Chapter 16.
The law allows a judge to reject a guilty plea and enter a plea of “not guilty” on behalf of the defendant, compelling the prosecution to present its case in open court. The trial proceeded on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, and the prosecution produced two witnesses: victim Blessing S. Dolo and Police Investigator Lee Jackson Suah. Both testified before resting their case.
Defendant Lee Meayean took the witness stand, but waived his right to testify and asked the court to admit his guilty plea into the court’s record. Judge Garlawolu then granted the request and scheduled final arguments for Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Lee Meayean was arrested in Ganta on January 27, 2026. The Liberia National Police’s Nimba County Detachment in February 2026, forwarded him to the 8th Judicial Circuit Court for prosecution on multiple offenses following a preliminary investigation.
According to the police’s preliminary investigation, Meayean had confessed to participating in a series of brutal attacks on motorcyclists in Ganta City over the years. Police investigators described him as a “notorious robber” who targeted riders and put their lives at risk. The incident leading to his arrest occurred on the night of January 27, 2026. Police said defendant Meayean hired motorcyclist Blessing S. Dolo in the Small Ganta Community, claiming he needed transport to his cassava farm in City View Community across the Immigration Checkpoint on the Ganta-Monrovia Highway.
Defendant Meayean first asked Dolo to stop at the Ganta General Market to collect money from a business partner, then convinced him to continue to the farm, promising to return with a bag of cassava. Dolo agreed and charged him for a fare of LD$200.
Around 11:00 p.m., after crossing the Ganta-Monrovia checkpoint and turning onto a farm route into the bush, Meayean told Dolo to stop.
He got off the bike, pretended to retrieve a cassava bag, then pulled out a machete and attacked Dolo in an attempt to steal the motorbike. Dolo shouted for help and responding police officers arrived quickly, rescued him, and arrested Meayean at the scene.
Police Investigation revealed that this was not an isolated incident, recounting on December 16, 2025, motorcyclist Foky Goyon who was targeted by defendant Meayean at the same crime scene.
Residents of Nimba County, especially in Ganta City, have been plagued by a wave of violent robberies targeting motorcyclists. Many view defendant Meayean’s prosecution as a significant step toward restoring public safety. Nimba County Police Commander ACP Mendin Larmie described Meayean as a “notorious robber” who had operated with impunity for too long. The court’s handling of the case has drawn public attention, with residents closely watching the outcome. Final arguments are set for Wednesday, with a ruling expected in the coming days.
