100 forced to vacate

At least 100 residents occupying an area at Lamin Village, Kombo North, were on Friday, forced out of their homes by personnel of the Police Intervention Unit, on the directives of the Office of the Sheriff of The Gambia.

This development follows a judgment in a land dispute case, involving Mbemba Bojang, the Alkalo of Lamin Village and Pa Saidou Ceesay, the defendant. The case had been lodged at the Kombo North District Tribunal by the Alkalo, since the era of the then Chief Eric Tundeh Janneh in 2005, and the judgment was reached in 2006, in favour of the plaintiff.

The tribunal had given a one-month notice to the defendant and his agent, to vacate the property, but they reportedly continued to occupy the land, until Friday, when an eviction order was passed by the Office of the Sheriff of The Gambia.

This reporter, who was at the scene, observed that the law enforcement officers carried out the directives in a peaceful manner, without any resistance. However, some of the residents appeared to be depressed by the eviction, which has left them with uncertainty about what the future holds for them.

Alkalo Mbemba Bojang told the Daily Observer that the disputed land belongs to his Kabilo (clan), which had used it for agricultural purposes. He further revealed that the defendant, Pa Saidou Ceesay, who had also claimed ownership of the land, cut down the tress planted on the land and demolished fences.

“But justice has been done fairly and I have regain the property,” he said.

Some of the victims alleged that they were never issued a notice to vacate the area, adding that the eviction came as a surprise to them. Some were seen wiping their faces, as tears dribbled down their cheeks and chins.

Musa Manneh, Wuyeh Manneh, Baba Galleh Baldeh, Bakary Gibba, Bubacarr Badjie, amongst others, expressed disappointment with the eviction and were unsure of what immediate options to take.

“We managed to get our compound through the accumulation of income. We have suffered bitterly. If we acquired the land through a legal process, and one day find ourselves denied of ownership of the property, that is unbelievable,” said Musa Manneh.

According to them, they have no one who can immediately provide them with temporary shelter. They also expressed concern about the rains, which, according to them, could expose them to many forms of illnesses and destroy their properties.

“We need help from the concerned authorities to sort out our problems,” they appealed.