Serious property-grabbing allegations have surfaced involving Aruna Kargbo and Orsheik Sesay, who are accused of unlawfully claiming ownership of a property located at Bunduka Street, Grassfield, Kissy, in the eastern part of Freetown. This property is reportedly linked to the Turay family, the late Abu Lamin Turay, the elder son of the Turay family. The family is now accusing Aruna Kargbo of attempting to grab their land, house and property, with Orsheik Sesay allegedly acting as a mediator and supporting his brother, Kargbo’s actions.
The Turay family claims that Aruna Kargbo initially gave the late Abu Lamin Turay a sum of 3 million Leones as part of an agreement for the property, promising to meet with the family’s elder brothers, Abu Lamin Turay and Mustapha Turay, for a final price of 55 million Leones. However, this deal was made without the knowledge of the other family members. Kargbo later refused to proceed with the purchase, demanding his 3 million Leones back from the two brothers, citing a dispute over the land. The land’s official documents, however, were in the name of the late Pa Alie Turay, the patriarch of the family.
The Turay family further revealed that, before his death, Abu Lamin Turay had mentioned to the tenant that Aruna Kargbo still owed a total of 8 million Leones for the land documents. Reports also indicate that Kargbo visited the house of the late Abu Lamin Turay on Malama Thomas Street to claim the remaining 8 million Leones, with plans to return the money in October 2024. During this time, the tenants were called to a meeting to pay their rent, agreeing to pay on time. Unfortunately, Abu Lamin Turay passed away on September 14, 2024, before the matter could be resolved.
Following Abu Lamin Turay’s death, Kargbo and Orsheik Sesay, who claims to be both a middleman and Kargbo’s brother, approached the tenants, instructing them to pay their rent directly to them instead of the family. This move occurred despite the fact that the rest of the Turay family were not aware of any such arrangement.
Aruna Kargbo has continued to assert his ownership of the land, claiming that he had purchased it from the late Abu Lamin Turay before his passing. Despite repeated requests from the Turay family and a senior officer of the Sierra Leone Police to resolve the issue, Kargbo has reportedly failed to provide any legal documentation to support his claims.
The situation has raised concerns that Kargbo may be attempting to fraudulently convert the property to his own use. There are reports suggesting that Kargbo has been involved in similar land disputes in the community, where he has successfully claimed ownership of properties through questionable means. This has intensified fears that land grabbing may be a widespread issue in the region.
In response to these developments, the Turay family has called on the Anti-Land Grabbing Unit of the Sierra Leone Police and the Ministry of Lands to investigate the matter thoroughly. The family has emphasized that the land, which is shared by the late Pa Alie Turay’s eight children (six of whom remain) and over 17 grandchildren, should remain in family hands, with all members collectively agreeing on any decisions regarding the property.
Kargbo has reportedly accused members of the Turay family, as well as individuals not directly related to the family, of accepting money from him without any formal legal agreements. The Turay family insists that land transactions should involve all family members, the buyer, and their respective lawyers to ensure proper legal documentation is signed.
Sources further report that Kargbo has successfully taken possession of other properties in the same community over the past 12 years, using similar methods. Although he has taken possession of some of these properties, little development has been seen, as one remains vacant, while the other is under rehabilitation.
Other sources disclosed that, Aruna Kargbo said to the children of the late Abu Lamin Turay that it is only a person who has money that will fight for a property, and the family should not waste their time for a property he had already purchased.
This medium tried to get the side of Mr Aruna kargbo, but no avail.
The Turay family has warned Aruna Kargbo and Orsheik Sesay to stay away from their property at Bunduka Street, Grassfield. They have made it clear that any further attempts to claim ownership of the land will result in legal action. The family hopes that an investigation into this case will bring clarity to the ownership of the property and protect the rights of the rightful landowners.
See full details in our subsequent edition.