-Latter Days Saints Church Left Homeless After Dubious Deal
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has found itself on the losing end of a controversial land saga that has left its congregation without a place of worship—thanks, critics say, to a questionable chain of sales orchestrated by none other than prominent Liberian businessman and political figure, Simeon Freeman.
The core of the dispute is a 2.5-acre plot in Congo Town, but what’s unraveling isn’t just a property conflict—it’s a case that calls into question how influence, religious affiliations, and political power can intersect to muddy the waters of justice and ownership.
A Transaction Trail That Smells Like Self-Dealing
At the center of the storm is Freeman, who, according to multiple accounts, bought the land from the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church—a religious institution where he serves as an elder. Reports allege the SDA Church sold the property to Freeman after realizing the documentation tied to the land was legally questionable, seemingly offloading the liability onto a trusted insider.
Freeman, in turn, quickly sold the land to businessman Willie Knuckles. Knuckles then sold it to the LDS Church, who believed they were acquiring legitimate property. Now, years later, the LDS Church stands as the apparent victim—locked in a legal battle while their congregation remains without a sanctuary.
Critics are calling this a well-coordinated property flip that reeks of insider advantage and possible conflict of interest. They question whether Freeman used his position in the SDA Church and his political influence to capitalize on a murky land situation—leaving a fellow religious institution in legal and spiritual limbo.
The Supreme Court Strikes Back—But Is It Too Late?
In 2023, the Supreme Court of Liberia took a scathing stance on how the case had been handled, particularly lambasting the trial court for failing to order an investigative survey—a critical oversight in a country where land documentation is notoriously inconsistent. The court has remanded the case back to the lower court, insisting that a comprehensive survey be conducted before any ownership claims can be verified.
But the damage may already be done. The LDS Church, now entangled in a lawsuit with the heirs of the late Joseph V. Gaye Sr.—who claim they legally bought the land from the Liberian government in 1962—has not only lost access to the property but may also be staring at a massive financial loss. The Gaye family is seeking at least $750,000 in damages.
Freeman’s Testimony: Savior or Saboteur?
Freeman, who heads the Consolidated Group Incorporated and leads the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC), was subpoenaed by the LDS Church as a witness. His testimony confirmed that he had bought the land from the SDA Church and sold it to Knuckles. He claimed to have peacefully held the land from 2010 to 2011—an assertion that bolsters the LDS Church’s timeline but also raises eyebrows about the speed and intent behind the transactions.
Legal observers argue that while Freeman’s name is not the legal linchpin of the case, his role complicates the moral and ethical narrative. “This isn’t just a land case anymore,” said one legal analyst. “It’s about trust, power, and how those in influential positions can shape the fate of others—sometimes under the guise of legality.”
Political Fallout Looms
As the legal dust settles, Freeman’s role continues to draw public scrutiny. With Liberia’s land disputes often mired in conflicting deeds, lost archives, and unregulated sales, many are watching this case as a litmus test for judicial integrity—and political accountability.
What remains to be seen is whether the LDS Church can reclaim its place of worship, or whether this saga will be remembered as yet another example of how land, money, and politics intersect in Liberia—with religious communities left to pay the price.
