Post a comment
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, Komba Kamanda, leading a five-judge panel at the Supreme Court, has ordered a stop to ongoing construction activities on land that is allegedly owned by the late former Chief Justice, Desmond Luke.
This decision came during a hearing on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in a case between Monica Luke, the plaintiff, and former Minister of Lands, Denis Sandy, among others, as defendants.
Chief Justice Kamanda noted that since the case is still under consideration by the Supreme Court, any work on the land should be done at the risk of those involved. He instructed Solicitor General Robert Kowa, who represents the defendants, to inform those occupying the land about the court’s ruling.
The motion leading to the ruling was filed by Lawyer Sore Sengbe Marrah, representing the plaintiff. Marrah pointed out that construction activities were continuing on the land, even though the case is still pending. He explained that the motion was filed on behalf of the first and second plaintiffs for the determination and enforcement of the 1991 Constitution.
Marrah further stated that Monica Luke, the plaintiff, is the administrator of her late husband’s property. He presented an affidavit from January 29, 2024, along with several exhibits, including photographs that showed the eviction of the second plaintiffs and their agents from the land, carried out under the authority of then-Minister of Lands, Denis Sandy.
In addition, Marrah referenced a letter sent by the second plaintiff to the Speaker of Parliament in February 2023, which raised concerns about a High Court judgment and the actions of the defendant, including the deployment of armed personnel on the land. Another letter, dated February 27, 2023, was written by Lawyer Pa Momoh Fofanah to the Chairman of the Lands Committee in Parliament, Quintain Sallia Conneh. Fofanah criticized the eviction of a school from the property and the subsequent presence of armed soldiers on the land.
Fofanah had also copied the letter to the Chief of Defence Staff of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), who replied the following day, disassociating the RSLAF from the deployment, confirming it was not an official action.
Marrah also presented a letter from the Committee on Lands in Parliament, dated January 10, 2024, which verified that the second plaintiff had approached the committee with concerns about the land. Additionally, a letter offering a lease for state land at Spur Loop off Regent Road to Mr. P.G. Robert was included as part of the evidence in the case.
As the matter progresses, the Supreme Court’s ruling raises more questions regarding the actions of the defendants, and how the case will be resolved.
