Human Trafficking Trial: Witnesses Describe Abuse, Confinement, and Financial Extortion

Prosecution witnesses in a high-profile human trafficking trial testified that they were subjected to abuse, intimidation, and repeated demands for money.

By Lincoln G. Peters

MONROVIA, June 15, 2026 – Prosecution witnesses in an ongoing human trafficking trial at Criminal Court ‘A’ have testified that they were lured to Monrovia with promises of overseas travel, only to be confined in a compound and subjected to abuse, intimidation, and repeated demands for money.

Precious Thomas, the prosecution’s third witness, told the court she was approached in Grand Gedeh County by a man named Bill Plato, who claimed to offer her a chance to travel to Canada.

Thomas said she and her boyfriend gathered US$3,000 over several months for processing fees.

After arriving in Monrovia, she said she was brought to a fenced compound near the beach and introduced to several defendants.

She testified that after handing over the money, she was not allowed to leave or contact her family. Thomas also alleged that Plato sexually exploited her and repeatedly pressured her to solicit more funds from her friends and family.

Thomas said people in the compound were punished if they did not ask relatives for money. She described security personnel carrying weapons, including knives and cutlasses, and said residents often slept on the ground with little food.

She recounted the illness and death of a woman named Ophelia. Another resident, Linda, also became ill but was reportedly denied permission to seek medical help. Thomas said residents eventually shouted for help, attracting passersby outside the compound.

Thomas testified that when concerned citizens confronted the compound, residents pushed open the gate and escaped. The group reported the incident to local authorities and were later referred to law enforcement.

During the proceedings, Thomas identified a statement she had previously given to police investigators. The court ordered the document marked and confirmed as part of the evidentiary process.

A fourth witness, Racheal Lakpor, recounted a similar experience. Lakpor said she was contacted in Nimba County by Maxim Wuonabaye, who offered her a supposed travel opportunity in May 2024. After her family raised US$1,000, she traveled to Monrovia and met Wuonabaye.

Lakpor said she was first taken to a residence in Kissi Camp, then transported to a fenced compound in Mambas Town. She alleged that Wuonabaye sexually assaulted her soon after her arrival.

She testified that she became pregnant and informed Wuonabaye, who allegedly gave her medication to terminate the pregnancy and pressured her to take it.

Lakpor said her phone was confiscated and she was forced to contact relatives for money. She claimed she was punished for refusing, including being made to perform strenuous tasks like pumping tires for hours.

She testified that friends and relatives sent thousands of dollars via mobile money transfers, but no travel arrangements were ever made.

Lakpor also described harsh living conditions and confirmed the illness and death of another resident, Ophelia Miaway. She said the group escaped after attracting attention from people outside.

The witness testified that after reporting the matter to authorities, she provided a statement to police investigators and underwent medical examination at the Du-Port Road Health Center.

The Case Background:

A Montserrado County grand jury indicted 22 defendants on charges of trafficking in persons, theft of property, and criminal conspiracy.

The defendants include Bill Plato, Woe Zekarso Gartch, Preston Godfred Maxson Wonlebaye, Jerome Gensen, Luther Flomo, Alexander Plato, Madthianline Tompia, Shalley Jonny, Blessing Favior Suah, Stanley Wonlebaye, Daylu Kargo, Shely Suah, Princess Jackson, Miatha Y. Williams, Cathrine Gono, Semon Garmie, Buoma Seau, Jonny Dahn, Samuel James, Jefferson Luogon, Yah Gartei, and others yet to be identified.

According to the indictment, from October 2024 to 2025, 57 people—including 22 women aged 18 to 36—were allegedly trafficked.

The indictment states that victims were recruited from seven counties and brought to Monrovia under the pretense of traveling to Canada. Prosecutors allege they were coerced by abduction, fraud, and deception.

Victims alleged they paid a total of $124,921 to Plato and his co-defendants for the promised trips.

Victims say they were confined in a fenced compound along the RIA Highway in Gbangbah’s Town and subjected to physical punishments such as pumping tires, lying in the sun, or drinking excess water if they refused to call relatives for more money.