By Thaimu Thullah
Judging from the numerous complaints before the ACC on allegations of corruption, corporate bully and unlawful dispossession of land by the Ministry of Lands from poor Sierra Leoneans, one will agree with me that the current Lands Minister, Dr. Turad Senessie, should have been indicted by now.
It is a surprise to majority, whose lands have been dispossessed and unlawfully taken from them by the ministry, to learn that the same man is still in charge and that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), is walking a snail’s pace to indict the Minister.
Since appointed to serve as Minister of Lands, Dr. Turad Senessie has failed to take up the responsibility for all the bad and dubious jobs done at the Ministry under his watch. It will interest readers to know that there are over two dozen files of complaints against the Ministry, and that the ACC, as a credible institution, has done little to bring officials of the Ministry to book.
Minister Senesie was also implicated by one Alpha Conteh, a Sierra Leonean, residing in the diaspora, who alleges that with the knowledge and tacit involvement of the Minister, he was deprived of a 4-acre parcel of land along Peninsular Road in Tokeh, in the Western Rural District.
Alpha Conteh explained how he legally gained ownership of the said piece of land over a decade ago, further revealing that he bought it from one Alhaji Slowe, who was at that time; the Tokeh Headman, stressing that he is in possession of all the requisite documents pertaining to the land in question.
He continued by intimating how he decided and agreed to sell one acre of the piece of land, with the LS number 3559/12, since it was for the sole purpose of constructing an educational institution.
Alpha Conteh stated that of late, he was shocked to learn that his land was now deemed to be Government property, a claim which, he said emphatically, he will contest with documentary evidence. He claimed that upon his return to Freetown from the USA, he went to make certain clarifications at the Ministry of Lands with regards the said land, but to his chagrin, he was directed to contact an unknown fellow by the name of Noah Fornah, at a hotel.
He furthered that when he contacted Fornah, he was told to forgo half of his land so that an amicable settlement will be reached, a proposal he stoutly rejected, lamenting that what followed next was the demolition of the perimeter fence he had erected round his property. Alpha maintained that he later realized that the land has been allocated to various individuals, whom he did not know, resulting in him losing the entire piece of land that he formerly possessed.
According to him, he took the matter to Court to seek redress, adding that the Minister not only dismissed his ownership claims, but instructed him to write a letter, after which he will consider assigning him an alternate piece of land.
In a dejected mood, Alpha accused the Minister of complicity in depriving him of his land, as he displayed supporting documents, including conveyances, a Police report, a Ministry chart indicating private ownership, an independent surveyor’s encroachment report, and registration receipts.
All the requisite land documents, including receipts of payments to government, are with the anti-corruption commission, but yet the commission is dragging its feet to indict the Minister and all those who illegally and unlawfully took part in the corrupt deal.
A source at the ACC told this writer that the Minister has been using political influence to cover his tracks, and that the ACC Boss is also playing cover for him.