-As 62-Year-Old Rapist Gets 14-Year Sentence
By: Shallon S. Gonlor |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — Henry Menlah, a 62-year-old man, has been convicted of statutory rape of a 10-year-old girl and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment at the Sanniquellie Central Prison. The Specialized Sexual Offenses Division Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, handed down the final judgment on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, during the 42-day jury sitting.
Per a plea bargain agreement executed by the State and the Office of the Public Defenders of Nimba County, with the convict’s consent, he will serve 10 years in prison before being released on probation for the remaining 4 years in his community under the supervision of the Ministry of Justice. On March 18, 2026, the case was called for a hearing during the 30-day jury sitting, when convict Henry Menlah waived the reading of the indictment, pleaded guilty, and prayed for the plea bargain agreement.
The court’s ruling cited Chapter 16; Section 16.4.4 as amended August 2022, which provided for a plea bargain agreement. “The defendant is adjudged guilty of statutory rape and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment,” the ruling stated. The Ministry of Justice indictment alleges that on January 18, 2026, at approximately 6:59 p.m. in Blegay’s Town, Ganta City, Nimba County, Henry Menlah is accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl.
According to the indictment, the Women and Children Protection Section of the Liberia National Police’s preliminary investigation found that Henry Menlah, 62, allegedly engaged in sexual activity with the survivor in his room. The indictment states that Menlah admitted to having sexual intercourse with the victim multiple times and gave her L$100 to buy food. The survivor was seen with Menlah, naked, by Isher W. Zenneh, and was subsequently taken to Ganta United Methodist Hospital (GUMC) in Nimba County for medical examination and treatment.
Given Menlah’s age, he will be 72 years old by the time he completes his 10-year prison term. The sentence has been described as equivalent to life imprisonment, considering his advanced age and the length of the sentence. The court’s decision comes after Menlah was found guilty of sexually abusing the victim, with his guilty plea during the trial. The sentencing of 62-year-old Henry Menlah marks the court’s third conviction for the February 2026 Term of Court.
Earlier, Alexander Kollie, 36, was found guilty of gang rape and sentenced to 30 years in prison following a unanimous jury verdict affirmed by the court on March 23, 2026. Additionally, Enoch Wogbe, age 25, and Saturday Leayine, 33 years old, were sentenced to 14 years in prison for gang rape, based on a plea bargain agreement.
