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In an exclusive interview with The Global Times, former Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, addressed recent allegations circulating on social media regarding his repossession of land in Adonkia, Western Rural Area.
Contrary to claims that he used a fake court order to evict trespassers, Dr. Bundu clarified that he legitimately acquired the land on August 31, 1984, from Moses Levey, the then Town Chief of Adonkia.
Dr. Bundu explained that when he purchased the land, it was an uninhabited area, overgrown with bush and lacking any structures.
Chief Levey served as the caretaker of the land until his passing, ensuring no one interfered with Dr. Bundu’s ownership during that time. The former Speaker described Chief Levey as a man of integrity who upheld his commitment.
Following Chief Levey’s death in the early 2000s, complications arose. Before his passing, Chief Levey had sent a letter to Dr. Bundu, written by his nephew Joseph Bob Mangu, informing him of his terminal illness and the need for new arrangements for the land’s care.
However, in 2005, Dr. Bundu was served with a summons from the High Court due to an allegation of trespass filed by Mangu, initiating a 12-year legal battle
In 2017, Justice Konoyima ruled in favor of Dr. Bundu, confirming his ownership. During the proceedings, Mangu produced a fraudulent conveyance claiming that Chief Levey had sold the land to him in 1983, but failed to provide convincing evidence. The court ultimately dismissed Mangu’s claims
Dr. Bundu stated that his current actions are in line with executing the High Court’s orders, with the help of bailiffs and police, to uphold the rule of law against land grabbing. He pointed out that the loudest critics are individuals who had purchased land from Mangu, who has since passed away, leaving them without recourse.
He emphasized that while he could have executed the judgment earlier, his position as Speaker of Parliament would have led to accusations of abuse of power.
Now, as a private citizen, he is simply exercising his legal rights to reclaim his property, reinforcing the importance of justice and the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Bundu explained that when he purchased the land, it was an uninhabited area, overgrown with bush and lacking any structures. Chief Levey served as the caretaker of the land until his passing, ensuring no one interfered with Dr. Bundu’s ownership during that time. The former Speaker described Chief Levey as a man of integrity who upheld his commitment.
Following Chief Levey’s death in the early 2000s, complications arose. Before his passing, Chief Levey had sent a letter to Dr. Bundu, written by his nephew Joseph Bob Mangu, informing him of his terminal illness and the need for new arrangements for the land’s care. However, in 2005, Dr. Bundu was served with a summons from the High Court due to an allegation of trespass filed by Mangu, initiating a 12-year legal battle.
In 2017, Justice Konoyima ruled in favor of Dr. Bundu, confirming his ownership. During the proceedings, Mangu produced a fraudulent conveyance claiming that Chief Levey had sold the land to him in 1983, but failed to provide convincing evidence. The court ultimately dismissed Mangu’s claims.
Dr. Bundu stated that his current actions are in line with executing the High Court’s orders, with the help of bailiffs and police, to uphold the rule of law against land grabbing. He pointed out that the loudest critics are individuals who had purchased land from Mangu, who has since passed away, leaving them without recourse.
He emphasized that while he could have executed the judgment earlier, his position as Speaker of Parliament would have led to accusations of abuse of power. Now, as a private citizen, he is simply exercising his legal rights to reclaim his property, reinforcing the importance of justice and the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
