–As Lawmaker Condemns “Inhumane” Eviction
MONROVIA, Liberia — Several families in Johnsonville Township are now homeless after a court-ordered demolition of residential properties on disputed land, prompting Montserrado County District #3 Representative Sumo Kollie Mulbah to condemn the exercise as “inhumane” and a “profound violation of human dignity.”
The demolition, carried out Saturday by the Office of the Montserrado County Sheriff under Capt. Sieh Collins Jr., followed a writ of possession issued by the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court for Montserrado County. The writ, dated June 24, 2026, and signed by Assistant Clerk of Court Alex D. Kublee Sr., directed the sheriff to place the prevailing party in “complete and unrestricted possession” of the disputed property along Tubman Avenue.
The document cites an October 27, 2022, ruling by then-Assigned Circuit Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. and a subsequent mandate issued by the Supreme Court of Liberia on May 26, 2026. The case involves the intestate estate of Konhay Comman, represented by administrator Moses Gbour, as appellant, against the intestate estate of the late Fahn Kai Korroh, represented by administrators Morris Nurse, Varney Paia and Edwin M. Rogers, as appellees.
The court document describes the disputed property as containing 90 acres, though residents estimated the area affected by Saturday’s demolition covered approximately 45 acres. During the exercise, civilians carrying hammers removed zinc roofing sheets and dismantled structures before a bulldozer began demolishing buildings. Police officers and court sheriffs were present as residents’ belongings—including mattresses, furniture and food supplies—were removed from the properties.
Several residents said their homes had been occupied for more than a decade, maintaining they purchased the land before constructing their buildings. Some questioned whether adequate surveys had been conducted to establish boundaries and whether affected occupants received sufficient notice.
Misheal Dennis, who said he lived on the property for 10 years, questioned the absence of a clearly established survey identifying the affected area. According to Dennis, residents had sought interventions through local leaders to determine the boundaries, but those efforts did not produce results before Saturday’s demolition.
“Whole day, the case is in court, it’s in court, we couldn’t see anything,” Dennis said, claiming his family received an eviction notice Saturday requiring them to vacate.
Another affected resident, Oretha Dennis, recounted the financial sacrifices she made to construct her home. “This market you see wasting outside here was what I sold to build this house when we had water all here,” she said.
Milton S. Youngor alleged his family received an eviction notice less than 24 hours before their home was demolished. “How can you give someone an eviction notice like yesterday and break their home today? That cannot be a fair practice,” Youngor stated.
Lawmaker Calls for Reform
In an open letter addressed to the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, Rep. Mulbah demanded urgent government intervention, citing violations of international human rights conventions and domestic law.
The lawmaker pointed to Article 17 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which protects property ownership, and Article 11(1) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which recognizes the right to adequate housing. He also invoked the Liberia Land Rights Act of 2018, which sets adverse possession protections at 15 years or more, noting that Johnsonville families have lived on and improved their properties for over two decades.
“Yet, our judges consistently fail to uphold the intent of this law, allowing technical title gaps to supersede decades of peaceful occupancy,” Mulbah wrote.
He further argued that private estates are exploiting the judiciary to execute mass evictions that mimic state-level eminent domain, bypassing constitutional requirements under Article 24(b) of the 1986 Constitution, which mandates “prompt payment of just compensation” for expropriated property.
“If we in the Legislature, the Executive, and the Judiciary do not intervene to quickly review the execution of ejectment laws and court-ordered demolitions, a dangerous precedent will remain,” Mulbah warned, adding that “a single wealthy estate could claim ownership over the entirety of Sinkor.”
The lawmaker called for immediate legislative reform to reconcile Civil Procedure Laws with international human rights standards, cleanup of land administration at the Liberia Land Authority, and a temporary freeze on mass demolitions during property disputes until humanitarian transition frameworks are established.
Meanwhile, Nelson Trazana, identified as a member of the family claiming legal ownership, said occupants who previously purchased land from the opposing party could negotiate arrangements to remain on the property. Trazana indicated the family was open to discussions, though he did not disclose specific terms or amounts that might be required.
His comments followed concerns raised by residents about the possibility of having to purchase land they said they had already paid for. The demolition follows a prolonged legal dispute between the two estates. Land ownership disputes involving competing claims, multiple sales and contested boundaries have been reported in Montserrado County, including communities experiencing residential expansion.
The Liberia Land Authority has outlined initiatives involving land mapping, deed registration and land administration reforms aimed at improving property records and addressing ownership disputes.
