MONROVIA, Liberia — The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has revoked a Development Grant Deed previously issued to the Grand Gedeh County local government after an internal probe—assisted by the Ministry of Justice—found serious procedural violations tied to a 500‑acre lease of customary land in B’hai Administrative District to a national of Burkina Faso.
The LLA said the county superintendent acted independently and without authorization in entering the lease, in breach of Article 49 of the Land Rights Act of 2018, which governs the sale, lease, and transfer of customary land. The parcel is recognized as Customary Land collectively owned by residents of Juzon Town under Article 32 of the same law, which safeguards communal ownership based on tradition, occupancy, and use.
Investigators also found that the Grand Gedeh County Land Administrator, Paye Freeman, and the County Land Dispute Officer, David N. Togbasie, misled the LLA during the issuance and signing of the grant deed, circumventing established procedures, the authority said. Both officials have been suspended indefinitely pending a full investigation.
Separately, the LLA dismissed four staff following an administrative inquiry that found “serious misconduct,” including misapplication, insubordination, and violations of civil‑service rules. Those dismissed are:
- Paul A. Tolbert, Assistant Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
- James Perkings, Case Investigator, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
- Earlyn O. Cooper, Database Officer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
- Steve Kenedy, Assistant Director, Public Land Vetting Division
The dismissals are effective Friday, Oct. 31, according to the LLA’s notice. The employees were ordered to surrender all LLA property, equipment, and documents to the Human Resource Division. The agency said details of the dismissals have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti‑Corruption Commission for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Cautioning the public, the LLA urged citizens to refrain from engaging in any land business with the dismissed individuals and reiterated its commitment to a transparent, accountable land‑governance system. “All administrative and disciplinary processes adhered strictly to the Labor Law and Civil Service regulations of the Republic of Liberia,” the authority said, adding that management is focused on professionalism and ethical conduct to restore public trust in the land sector.
The LLA said it will continue strengthening institutional systems and called on government, development partners, and citizens to help build a land sector that promotes peace, ensures justice, and supports sustainable development for all Liberians.
