Latriya Alkalo Admits Stamping Land Documents for Both Parties in Ongoing Kombo North Dispute, Says He Was Under Pressure

Published by: The Fatu Network

Residents of Latriya Village in Kombo North today held a press conference over an ongoing land dispute involving a parcel measuring approximately 410 by 830 square metres, a conflict they said affects nearly 300 compounds in the community.

The Fatu Network monitored developments on the ground as residents accused Folonko Bojang, linked to the Bojang Kunda family in Jambur, of laying claim to the land in 2014. According to community members, the matter later went before the Brikama Court in 2016 and is currently awaiting hearing at the Supreme Court.

Residents alleged that parts of the disputed land continue to be sold despite the case remaining unresolved. They further claimed that both the community and the Bojang family possess land documents bearing the Alkalo’s official stamp to support their separate ownership claims.

Following the press conference, The Fatu Network spoke to Latriya Alkalo Ebrima Darboe, who acknowledged stamping documents for both the community members and the Bojang family.

“I stamped documents for both parties because I was under pressure,” the Alkalo said.

When asked by The Fatu Network to clarify who was allegedly pressuring him, the Alkalo declined to identify any individual or side involved.

According to him, the disputed land had traditionally been used by members of the community for farming activities, while disagreements involving people from Jambur over the area had existed for years.

“The people of the community are the ones who used to farm those places, and the people of Jambur have always had issues over the land,” he said.

The Alkalo also questioned how residents could be removed from land simply because transfer documents had been issued.

“Anytime there are two documents, only one can be genuine,” he said.

Ebrima Darboe also referred to testimony he gave during court proceedings in 2016, where he reportedly stated that the disputed land belonged to the community. He claimed he gave that testimony under pressure as well, though he did not explain who allegedly pressured him or the nature of the pressure.

During his interview with The Fatu Network, the Alkalo again stated that the disputed land belongs to the community and not the Bojang family. He said he now intends to invite both sides for dialogue in an attempt to resolve the dispute peacefully.