TOE TOWN, Grand Gedeh County — A fierce land ownership dispute involving 350 hectares of cocoa-producing property has erupted between the Monjolo and Tarpeh families in Toe Town, B’hai Administrative District, with mining activities on the disputed land fueling tensions and triggering police intervention.
A Verity News investigation has uncovered documents being relied upon by the Monjolo family to support its claim to the disputed property. The land, reportedly containing extensive cocoa farms, has now become the center of an escalating legal and community dispute, with both sides maintaining competing positions over rights to the property.
The controversy intensified after mining activities were reportedly observed on portions of the disputed land. The Monjolo family alleges that the mining is being conducted on property it claims to own, while Toe Town Mines and Energy Focal Person Bobby Toe maintains that the mining operation is legal.
CLASH TRIGGERS POLICE INTERVENTION
Tensions reportedly reached a boiling point on September 18, 2026, when a confrontation allegedly broke out between miners and members of the Monjolo family.
The Liberia National Police subsequently intervened and arrested individuals identified as heads of the mining operation. The circumstances surrounding the confrontation remain subject to investigation, while the competing land claims continue to fuel tensions in the community.
The matter has since moved into the courtroom and is currently before the Toe Town Magisterial Court, presided over by Judge Korva Jallah.
MONJOLO FAMILY: ‘WE HAVE DOCUMENTS’
Speaking to Verity News, Abraham Monjolo, co-administrator of the Monjolo family property, said the family possesses documents which, according to him, substantiate its claim to the 350-hectare property.
Monjolo further alleged that the family has made several efforts to have the dispute referred to the appropriate authorities, but said those efforts have not produced the resolution the family is seeking.
The dispute has also reportedly spilled over into courtroom tensions. During an earlier hearing, a heated disagreement allegedly occurred between Judge Korva Jallah and City Solicitor Cllr. Roland Z. Sayee reportedly disrupting the proceeding.
Verity News says it is in possession of video and photographic materials relating to the reported courtroom incident.
TARPEH FACES MULTIPLE CRIMINAL ALLEGATIONS
Meanwhile, a police charge sheet reviewed by Verity News lists Viola Tarpeh as facing allegations of Criminal Trespass, Criminal Mischief, Criminal Conspiracy and Criminal Facilitation in connection with the incident.
The allegations remain unproven unless and until established by a court of competent jurisdiction.
According to her accused/suspect statement form, Tarpeh was informed of her constitutional rights before being asked to provide a statement. She subsequently indicated that she chose to remain silent until her appearance before the court and signed the statement form.
TARPEH: ‘I HAD AUTHORIZATION’
In an interview with Verity News, Tarpeh acknowledged that mining activities were taking place in the disputed area but rejected the suggestion that she was operating without authorization.According to Tarpeh, her uncle granted her permission to conduct mining activities on the property.
She further claimed that documentation relating to the mining operation exists and said the documents are reportedly in the possession of relevant Lands and Mines authorities in the area.
LAND, MINING RIGHTS COLLIDE
The escalating dispute has raised wider questions over land ownership, cocoa-farm boundaries, mining authorization and the legal authority to conduct mining operations on property under competing ownership claims.
At the center of the battle is a fundamental question: Who has legally recognized rights to the 350 hectares, and under what authority are mining activities being conducted there?
With the matter now before the court, the competing claims, mining authorization and allegations arising from the September 18 confrontation are expected to receive further judicial scrutiny.
For now, the 350 hectares remain at the center of a deepening land and mining battle in Toe Town, as the Monjolo and Tarpeh families await further legal proceedings to determine the issues in dispute.
