-Amid 25-Year Prison Sentence
NIMBA COUNTY, Liberia — 52-year-old converted rapist, Amos T. Gbamon, is reportedly battling serious health complications while serving his sentence at the Sanniquellie Central Prison in Nimba County. The report comes nearly 10 months after being sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for the statutory rape of a 1-year, 11-month-old girl.
Gbamon, the former head of the Disabled Group of 77 in Nimba County, was convicted on October 1, 2025, after a unanimous guilty verdict by a jury in the Sexual Offenses Division Court of the Eighth Judicial Circuit in Sanniquellie.
Sources familiar with conditions at the Sanniquellie Central Prison told this publication that Gbamon is experiencing chronic health complications in addition to his physical disability. According to the sources, his condition has reportedly deteriorated in recent months, raising concerns about his long-term health while in custody.
Prison authorities, however, have not issued an official statement regarding his medical condition, and no publicly available medical records have confirmed the nature or severity of his reported illness.
Court records indicate that the offense occurred on May 30, 2025, at the Nimba County Disabled Community Center in Sanniquellie. At the time, the facility also served as a residence for several members of the organization, including Gbamon.
Following the trial, jurors unanimously found him guilty of statutory rape, resulting in a 25-year custodial sentence.
Although convicted, Gbamon has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting he did not commit the offense. There has been no public indication that his conviction has been overturned or that any appeal has altered the court’s judgment.
According to the court’s judgment, the prosecution proved Gbamon’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The court emphasized the gravity of the offense, noting that the victim was incapable of consenting and describing the violation of such a young child as a significant aggravating factor in determining the sentence.
The court relied on Liberia’s Evidence Law, relevant provisions of the Penal Law, and applicable Supreme Court precedents in imposing the 25-year prison term.
Gbamon’s reported health condition has drawn renewed attention to the broader challenges facing inmates at the Sanniquellie Central Prison, where overcrowding and limited resources continue to strain living conditions.
Like many correctional facilities across Liberia, the prison is operating well beyond its intended capacity. Designed to accommodate approximately 100 inmates, the facility currently houses about 388 male and female prisoners.
According to inmates and prison sources, as many as 40 prisoners are confined in cells originally designed for five occupants, creating severe overcrowding. The cramped and poorly ventilated conditions reportedly expose inmates to extreme heat, increase the risk of communicable diseases, and contribute to various health problems.
Several inmates have reportedly developed skin infections and other heat-related illnesses, while some have allegedly collapsed due to the intense temperatures inside the overcrowded cells.
Despite these harsh conditions, prison authorities continue to provide rehabilitation opportunities for inmates. Convicted prisoners serving sentences ranging from five to 25 years and beyond are enrolled in vocational and educational programs, including tailoring and literacy classes, aimed at preparing them for eventual reintegration into society.
Inmates have also appealed to the Liberian Government and humanitarian organizations for assistance, citing inadequate access to bedding, sanitary materials, and other essential supplies. They argue that improving prison conditions is necessary to safeguard their health and uphold their dignity, regardless of the crimes for which they were convicted.
