Margibi County – Three men—Joseph Dolo, James Flomo, and Harrison Binda—have been arrested and charged with grave robbery and theft of property after a disturbing incident involving the desecration of a grave in Dillon’s Farm Community, Margibi County.

The Liberia National Police (LNP) Margibi County Detachment formally charged the suspects with abuse of a corpse under Chapter 18, Section 18.12, and theft of property under Chapter 15, Subchapter D, Section 15.51 of the revised Penal Code of Liberia. The accused were forwarded to the Kakata Magisterial Court on Tuesday for prosecution.

A Shocking Crime Reported

The arrests followed a complaint filed by James Gondon, who reported that his deceased aunt’s grave had been tampered with on January 6, 2025. Gondon informed the police that he was notified on January 12 that the suspects had been apprehended while in possession of human remains, specifically a female genital they admitted was taken from the grave of the late Sianneh Ndorbor.

Gondon recounted visiting the grave on January 7, just days after Ndorbor was buried on January 3, only to find it broken into. Missing items included jewelry, clothing, and shoes, and a strong odor emanated from the desecrated site. Alarmed, Gondon sealed the grave but was unaware of the full extent of the damage until the suspects were arrested.

Conflicting Accounts from the Suspects

During the police investigation, suspect Joseph Dolo admitted to his involvement, revealing that he, along with Flomo and Binda, had broken into the grave using metal rods. Dolo confessed that they removed items for alleged ritual purposes linked to establishing a poro society, a traditional secret group. However, tensions arose within the group when Dolo was denied his share of the stolen items, leading to a confrontation that ultimately exposed their crime to community members.

Suspects Flomo and Binda, however, denied any involvement in the grave robbery. Flomo claimed he only learned of Dolo’s possession of the remains through Binda, while Binda accused Dolo of fabricating the allegations to shift blame.

Town Chief Francis S. Massaquoi confirmed being informed about the incident and highlighted inconsistencies in Dolo’s statements during the investigation.

Police Build Case Against the Accused

Despite the conflicting accounts, police authorities in Margibi County have confirmed that evidence supports the charges of abuse of a corpse and theft of property. The accused have been forwarded to court as the investigation continues.

A Disturbing Motive Unveiled

Dolo’s admission of participating in the grave robbery for ritualistic purposes has sparked outrage in Dillon’s Farm Community. According to police reports, the grave was targeted for items allegedly intended to conduct rituals, a practice that remains deeply controversial and illegal in Liberia.

Community members have condemned the act, calling for swift justice. “This is a violation of our cultural and moral values,” said one resident, expressing concern about the motives behind the crime.

Legal and Social Implications

The case has reignited debates on the prevalence of ritualistic practices and grave desecration in Liberia, with calls for stricter enforcement of laws governing the abuse of corpses and theft. Police authorities have vowed to prosecute the suspects to the fullest extent of the law to deter such heinous acts in the future.

As the suspects face the legal process, this shocking case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding the sanctity of burial sites and addressing cultural practices that may contribute to such crimes.