In a recent development, the Monneh Williams Family, has successfully reclaimed a significant portion, almost 90% of their176 acre of land situated within the John Obey Community, York Village in the Western Peninsular of Freetown.
This remarkable achievement was made possible through the intervention of Police personnel and bailiffs that were mandated to execute a court order which categorically stated that the said land or property rightfully belong to the aforementioned family.
It could be recalled that two weeks when an attempt was made by the Police Personnel and bailiffs to reclaim the land from illegal occupants during the course of executing the court order they were met with stiff and violent resistance by thugs allegedly said to have been mobilized by some influential personalities within the community including the Headman and the Councillor who stand accused of illegally selling the land to unsuspecting persons. The aggressive youths used locally-made petrol bombs, stones, bottles, machetes, and knives in putting up resistance against the law enforcement officials.
During and after the scuffle that ensued between the law enforcement personalities, the thugs and their backers the Police succeeded in making some arrests. At this material time it has been reliably learnt that the Counsellor of John Obey Community, Sieh Sesay and 11 others are currently at the Male Correctional Centre formerly known as the Pademba Road Prison on remand, while Headman, Hassan Marrah, said to be the chief architect behind the land sale is at large as a fugitive who is wanted by the Police to answer to some questions.
It must be underscored that Court rulings as well as correspondence from the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning have confirmed that the Monneh Williams family are the rightful owners of the land.
When the encroachment or land grabbing became alarming, Marie Kargbo, the Estate Administrator of the Property of the Monneh Williams Family, instituted legal action to regain possession of the property and uphold their rights.
The High Court of Sierra Leone (Land & Property Division) ruled in favor of Marie Kargbo, granting possession of the land and damages for trespass.
Subsequent rulings reaffirmed Kargbo’s entitlement to the property, with the Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Country Planning formally recognizing her ownership based on survey plans LS No. 2121/96 from October 1997 and LS No. 1525/88 from September 2nd, 1988.
Senior Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Abdul RM Fofanah, assured Kargbo of the Ministry’s unwavering support in the matter.
This medium remains committed to closely monitoring the situation.