Another mysterious death in Liberia, another murder and, after the lifeless body of the missing man, Joseph Blama, was found, rumors started spreading that body parts had been extracted – feeding the suspicion of a ritualistic murder. The victim’s widow, Madam Asatu Blama, confirmed to reporters that the lifeless body found was her husband, adding that parts were allegedly extracted.
A major suspect in the mysterious disappearance of Joseph Blama, Madam Martha Doe, who is a popular prayer warrior in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County had been arrested, together with 12 others. In a remarkable development, all suspects had been released after an intervention by a prominent politician, Grand Bassa Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence.
Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence confirmed that Prayer Mother Madam Doe and the other 12 arrested suspects had been released after consultation with Justice Minister Musah F. Deah.
It is obvious that the separation of powers (‘Trias politica’) in Liberia is not being respected. Legislators should not intervene in the judiciary. However, as my late friend Tom Kamara would have said in these circumstances: “This, Too, Is Liberia”.
(webmaster FVDK)
Liberia: Man Missing from ‘Prayer Band’ Found Dead in River
Published: April 19, 2022
By: Elton Wroinbee Tiah, Grand Bassa County Correspondent – Daily Observer
… Parts Allegedly Extracted
The lifeless body of 45-year-old Joseph Blama, who went missing for several days following a quest for deliverance from a popular Prayer Warrior, Martha Doe, has been discovered with parts allegedly extracted.
The lifeless body of Blama was discovered in Dwehn’s Town on the St. John River, Grand Bassa County. Blama went missing on March 25, in St. John City, Grand Bassa County after 25 members of Madam Martha Doe’s prayer band gathered for prayer.
The popular prayer warrior Martha Doe, who resides in Buchanan, invited Blama to her Prayer Band in St. John City, in the name of deliverance to enable him to get a job. Blama’s widow, Madam Asatu Blama, confirmed to reporters that the lifeless body was her husband, adding that parts were allegedly extracted.
The cause of death is yet unknown as she reportedly indicated that, after more than a month of searching, her husband is dead without any explanation. It can be recalled that Madam Martha Doe and 12 others were jailed by the Liberian National Police for more than four days before the lifeless body of Joseph Blama was discovered.
Madam Doe, who is a popular prayer warrior in Buchanan and a major suspect in the mysterious disappearance of Joseph Blama, was released from jail along with 12 others on the alleged orders of Senator Nyonblee Kangar Lawrence. Upon her release, she told reporters early Friday morning: “We all prayed and went to sleep, but later we heard a sound like people breaking into the place.”
Madam Doe regretted that Joseph Blama could not be seen, adding that she immediately informed the police and the St. John City Mayor James E. Brooks. “Soon as I told Mayor James Brooks, he told me to tell the police that the man was a criminal and I said no, I brought him to this prayer band.”
Madam has expressed sadness over the mysterious death of the man who came to her for prayers, but linked the Mayor of St. John City to the mysterious death.
However, Mayor James E. Brooks in an interview with reporters admitted that the incident occurred in his municipality. Brooks admitted to reporters that he and Madam Martha Doe interacted, but clarified that he told her to say it’s a criminal attitude after the incident occurred.
Before Blama was discovered, the Crime Services Division of the Liberia National Police Bassa detachment found the phones, and white underwear, believed to be the property of the deceased, in a bush a distance away from where the prayer band was held.
Meanwhile, Grand Bassa Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence told our reporter that the Prayer Warrior and 12-others were released based on consultation with the Justice Minister.
“Madam Doe and 12 others were jailed for four days without being charged and so I contacted the Justice Minister and he alluded to the fact that, once the man was still missing, they could not have charged the alleged suspects,” Senator Karnga-Lawrence said.
“I immediately spoke with the wife of the missing man before calling the police to release those behind bars.”
Senator Karnga-Lawrence mentioned that Prayer Warrior Doe and 12-others were instructed to report to the police headquarters daily, which they did until the body was recently discovered. However, the Senator confirmed that the Blama’s widow was invited to her house in Buchanan and they talked.
Expressing regret over the mysterious death of Joseph Blama, she said that she has “been speaking with the widow. Now that the missing man is dead, I will meet the wife again to ensure that proper investigation is conducted into the mysterious death.”
Source: Liberia: Man Missing from ‘Prayer Band’ Found Dead in River
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Liberia: Man, 45, Goes Missing after Prayer Meeting in Grand Bassa
Published: April 4, 2022
By: Elton Wroinbee Tiah and Guest contributor – Daily Observer
A 45-year-old man, identified as Joseph Blama, has been reported missing for several days now, following a quest for deliverance from a popular prayer warrior in the county, Martha Doe.
The incident occurred on Friday, March 25, 2022 in St. John City, Grand Bassa County, after 25 members of Madam Doe’s prayer band gathered for prayer.
The popular Madam Doe, who resides in Buchanan, invited Blama to the prayer meeting in St. John City, to receive prayers for deliverance, to enable him to get a job.
According to Madam Doe, “The man’s wife called me and said her husband has been out of job for years and so I told them to send him so that he could be part of our prayer service.
“Early Friday morning,” she continued, “we all prayed and went to sleep but later we heard a sound like people breaking into the place.”
Madam Doe lamented that Joseph Blama was nowhere to be seen, adding that she immediately informed the police and the St. John City Mayor, James E. Brooks.
“As soon as I told the Mayor James Brooks, he told me to tell the police that the man was a criminal. I said ‘no, I brought him to this prayer band.
“We searched all over but we later discovered the man’s phones and underwear, but he himself couldn’t be found up to now,” she explained.
However, Mayor James E. Brooks, in an interview with reporters, admitted that the incident occurred in his municipality and that he and Madam Martha Doe interacted after the man went missing.
The Crime Services Division of the Liberia National Police Grand Bassa detachment disclosed that phones and white underwear that they believe to be the victim’s property was found in the bush along the road that leads to the St. John river at the back of the place where the prayer service was held.
According to the police report, the missing man’s assorted belongings, including clothes and wallet that contains his national identification card, was recovered from the leader of the prayer band in the person of Madam Martha Doe.
Meanwhile, the leadership of St. John City has launched a vigorous search for the missing man and Prayer Mother Martha Doe has been jailed.
Source: Liberia: Man, 45, Goes Missing after Prayer Meeting in Grand Bassa
