Liberia: Long-time ArcelorMittal School Bus Driver in Custody for Alleged Rape, Mother Alarms Being

By Konah Rufus Last updated Jul 17, 2020

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – A driver of ArcelorMittal Liberia identified as Emmanuel K. Ballah, 55, was on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 arrested and remanded for allegedly raping his 13-year-old goddaughter in the concession area of the company.

The company has strongly condemned the act and says it operates under the highest standards of business ethics and governance.

The victim’s mother (name withheld) told reporters that the incident occurred last week and she became appalled by the continuous delay by the police and relatives of the alleged perpetrator which prompted her to expose the ‘rape under cover’ to the public.

According to her, the alleged perpetrator lives close to the ArecelorMittal residential area in Buchanan.

She explained that her daughter and the rest of the children usually perform some house chores for the alleged perpetrator because his wife travelled out of the country.

“I was shocked when my daughter told me that Ballah raped her. I firstly didn’t believe her, but the medical report and Ballah’s own statement got me so frustrated in men.” – Victim’s Mother

Victim’s mother: “Ballah is 55 years old and my children see him as their grandfather because every time we prepare food we normal keep food for him because his wife was a very good friend to me when she was in Liberia”.

“I came from Monrovia last week and my daughter called me in the room and explained to me that Ballah forcibly had sexual intercourse with her after she had gone to pick up bread from him”.

She explained that her daughter was hurriedly taken to the hospital for checkup; adding that the hospital’s result proved that she had been tampered with.

She said that upon receiving the result, she quickly contacted Ballah and few other persons to hear from him as it relates to the allegation.

“We called that man and he admitted to us that he did it but he wanted me to compromise it which I refused because my daughter’s life and future is involved as well,” she said.

She stressed that she has known Ballah for over seven years, adding that she takes Ballah as a brother due to their closeness.

“I was shocked when my daughter told me that Ballah raped her. I firstly didn’t believe her but the medical report and Ballah’s own statement got me so frustrated in men,” she lamented.

Madam Pewee stressed that she will not rest until justice prevails; adding that rape is becoming a normal thing for men in Liberia.