By Rufus Divine Brooks Jr
The Group of 77 Disabled Center (G-77), a national organization committed to advocating for persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Liberia, has strongly denied media reports suggesting that Amos Gbawon, recently convicted of raping a toddler, held a leadership position within the organization’s Nimba County chapter.
Gbawon was **sentenced to 25 years in prisonby a Liberian court for the rape of a 1-year, 11-month-old girl in Nimba County—a case that has drawn national outrage.
Speaking exclusively to Verity Newspaper, Raymond Zarbay, Senior Administrative Assistant to the G-77 Executive Director, firmly rejected the claims that Gbawon held any formal or informal role within the organization’s leadership—whether at the headquarters in Montserrado County or within Nimba County,“Let the record be clear: Amos Gbawon was only a general member, a registered participant,” Zarbay stated.
“He has never held any executive, managerial, or representative position since the organization’s founding.” Zarbay further explained that county-level leadership positions within G-77 are determined through established internal processes, such as elections or formal appointments—processes in which Gbawon never participated and for which he never qualified.
He described the media claims as inaccurate and harmful, saying they cause undue reputational damage to an organization that exists to support vulnerable populations.
Immediate Expulsion Following Conviction Zarbay also confirmed that once the organization became aware of the seriousness of the charges and the subsequent conviction, G-77 took swift and decisive action.
“Following the horrific rape allegation and Amos Gbawon’s conviction, the Executive Committee of the Group of 77 immediately revoked his membership,” he said. “His association with the organization has been **formally and permanently terminated.”
Strong Condemnation of Sexual Violence
The G-77 leadership issued a
strong condemnation of Gbawon’s actions and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to fighting all forms of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), especially crimes against children.
“As a community representing the vulnerable, we understand our responsibility to protect others who are vulnerable—especially children,” Zarbay emphasized.
“The crimes committed by Amos Gbawon are heinous, inexcusable, and completely contrary to the values and mission of the Group of 77.”
He added that membership status or disability does not exempt anyone from accountability under the law and voiced the organization’s full support for the 25-year sentence handed down by the courts.
Call for Responsible Journalism Zarbay concluded by urging the media to exercise greater caution when reporting on sensitive issues, particularly those involving criminal acts and marginalized communities.
“We call on journalists and media institutions to verify information about our members before publishing, to avoid spreading misinformation that could further stigmatize those we serve.”
