Duazon Citizens Sue Defense Ministry

Citizens of Duazon District in Margibi County have filed a writ for prohibition before Justice in Chambers Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie against the Minister of National Defense, Brownie Samukai and all those under the authority of the ministry.

The citizens in their petition averred that the land being claimed by the Ministry of National Defense was inherited from their ancestors with a tribal title land deed.

The 1,760 acres of land is where the Edward Beyan Kessely Military Barrack is located.

In the petition, the citizens pointed out that the Defense Ministry few days ago deployed some former NPFL fighters headed by Gen. Power thus causing terror at night to the citizens.

They further stated that one of their citizens was arrested by the National Police and whisked off to prison; the citizens identified the man arrested as Elder Robert Johnson who is an assistant pastor and a classroom teacher in the area.

The citizens contended in their petition that the late Liberian President William V.S. Tubman took away their land in 1959 without any negotiation for compensation, in total gross violation of their property right.

The Defense Ministry the petitioners observed moved on their land with total disregard to their property rights and began expansion thereby refusing to negotiate with them. They therefore prayed the Justice in Chambers to restrain and prohibit the Defense Ministry from further encroachment and fencing of the property.

Meanwhile, Elder Johnson has been released from detention and forwarded to court on allegation of theft.

Defense Minister Brownie Samukai when contacted last evening said he has not received any legal document from the Supreme Court on the petition of the Duazon's citizens.

He reiterated that his ministry will not allow anyone to encroach on the property of the Ministry of National Defense.