MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The mother of the late Odell Sherman, a former 12th-grade student of the Harriet Bailey United Methodist School in Duazon, Margibi County, who mysteriously died on June 21, 2019, is accusing Reverend Emmanuel Jutonue Giddings, the clergyman in whose compound Odell was found unconscious, of threatening her life, three years after the tragic incident.
Cynthia Sherman, currently in hiding, claims she has been receiving threatening calls from Rev. Emmanuel J. Giddings due to her persistent advocacy for justice for her daughter, whom she believes was gruesomely murdered and gang-raped by Giddings without receiving fair judgment.
Sherman alleges that Giddings has sent unknown men to her residence, forcing her to move from one location to another out of fear for her life. She has fled Liberia to an undisclosed location, seeking restorative justice over her daughter’s death.
In 2019, police investigations and an autopsy conducted by the Ministry of Justice concluded that Odell Sherman died from “Blunt Force Trauma of the Head” resulting from a fall, a finding disputed by Cynthia Sherman and her family.
Rev. Emmanuel Jutonue Giddings, who was questioned in relation to Odell’s death but subsequently released, denies all allegations of threats towards Cynthia Sherman’s life. He asserts that the accusations are politically motivated and intended to damage his reputation.
Giddings clarifies that he has never met Sherman in person and denies any involvement in Odell Sherman’s death. He expresses sorrow for her passing but distances himself from any responsibility, stating his willingness to cooperate with any fair, independent investigation.
Cynthia Sherman, speaking to Liberia Public Radio, expresses dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of her daughter’s case and believes there is a strong possibility of foul play. She continues to advocate for justice while living in fear for her own safety.
Despite the ongoing controversy, Rev. Emmanuel Giddings maintains his innocence and emphasizes his commitment to humanitarian principles. He describes Odell Sherman’s death as a tragedy and denies any wrongdoing in the matter.
