Lands Minister, Dr. Turad Senessie, in one of his visits to John Obey
In wake of the latest land saga that has gripped John Obey Village in Western Peninsular Area of York Rural District that characterized heavy handedness of security personnel, allegedly acting on a court order by Justice Binneh Kamara purported to have been giving in favour of one Madam Marie Kargbo, resulting in the demolition of number of houses in that community, residents have appealed to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and Human Rights Commission for intervention, crying for justice for what they consider as a violation of their rights to land, while independent investigation carried out by this Reporter has unearthed the true story of the saga.
According to findings, Marie Kargbo who is a complainant in a land matter, claiming to own the entire land of John Obey community, alleging she inherited the land from her late father, sometime ago summoned number of community stakeholders including Headman Hassan Marah, Sie Sesay and others to High Court presided over by Justice Ivan Sesay.
After several appearances by both complainant and the defendants, the matter was transferred to another High Court presided over by Justice Emmanuella Harding at Ross Road High Court, Freetown.
Research also reveals that the matter was still ongoing in the court presided by Justice Emmanuella Harding until a dramatic twist of event surfaced to the dismay of the defendants and tens of thousands of residents in John Obey.
According to investigation, on Monday 13th November, 2023, the said complainant Marie Kargbo and Truckload of security personnel including both police officers and armed soldiers stormed John Obey, purporting to have a court order ordered by Justice Binneh Kamara to the effect that “Marie Kargbo has won the matter and that all occupants should be evicted from the land”.
“What is most shocking of the so-called judgement or court order is that, Marie Kargbo as complainant and the defendants are still in court on the matter before Justice Harding; never ever were the defendants summoned to appear before Justice Binneh Kamara before such a strange ‘court order’ was allegedly issued”, investigation indicates, adding there is an existing injunction, good number of buildings were vandalized, residents teargassed, and some residents were manhandled, arrested, handcuffed and thrown into the truck.
According to sources, those arrested were taken to Ross Road Police Station and later sent to remand at Correctional Centre, Pademba Road, Freetown.
Meanwhile, landowners and residents in John Obey have appealed to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his fatherly intervention on what they consider as a “violation of their rights to property”.
‘Who can one individual claims to own an entire community’, they questioned, while appealing to Human Rights Commission, Office of the President and the Chief Justice for urgent intervention to avert imminent threat to lives and property.
Latest sources reveal, many residents including women and children are hiding in nearby bushes as a result of this ongoing land saga and that they have equally echoed appeals to President Bio, Lands Ministry and the Judiciary for urgent action. Also, latest claims by Marie Kargbo of having recovered 90% of her land in John Obey as published in some tabloids have been refuted by residents and stakeholders in John Obey community.
