Rivercess County — The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has delivered a decisive ruling in the long-standing land dispute between the people of Kpaquah in Yarnee Statutory District and the people of Wesseh Town in Timbo Statutory District, declaring that the contested land legally belongs to Wesseh Town.
The ruling, described by the LLA as the most critical outcome of its investigation, was based on statutory boundaries and historical facts establishing the Cestos River as the official boundary between Yarnee and Timbo Districts. According to the Authority, any land located across the Cestos River falls within Timbo Statutory District and therefore under the ownership of Wesseh Town.
The land probe was initiated in July 2025 following a mandate from Rivercess County Superintendent Hon. Byron W. Zahnwea, who instructed the LLA’s local office, headed by Borbor Y. Boeyon, to investigate the conflicting claims.
After listening to testimonies, reviewing documents, and examining historical and administrative records, the LLA found that the people of Kpaquah were in error. The Authority stated that the Aboriginal Deed presented by Kpaquah has already been cancelled by law and therefore holds no legal weight. In addition, during the 2008–2009 SDI boundary harmonization exercise, Kpaquah residents failed to declare any deeded land within Timbo District, further weakening their claim.
Crucially, the LLA relied on the account of Kpaquah’s own spokesperson, Mr. Bill Sumo, who admitted that the founders of Kpaquah had migrated across the Cestos River from Yarnee into Timbo. He narrated that Diorh Floh, a Kpaquah hunter, crossed the river, married a woman from Wesseh Town named Bordeh, and later relocated with his family to farm on land granted by her parents — land that lies within Timbo District.
Based on these facts, the LLA ruled that Kpaquah’s settlement was permitted by Wesseh Town but does not confer ownership of the land. The Authority, however, recommended that any economic activities such as mining, pit sawing, or farming by Kpaquah residents should only be carried out through peaceful negotiations and agreements with the elders and leaders of Wesseh Town.
The LLA also called on both communities to maintain peace and continue their tradition of coexistence, stressing that land disputes must not be allowed to destabilize Rivercess County.
Meanwhile, Kpaquah has rejected the ruling. Speaking to Verity News, spokesperson Bill Sumo accused the LLA of misquoting him and insisted that although Kpaquah is in Yarnee District, the people of Kpaquah originally hails from Timbo land, which he believes supports their claim.
Sumo also criticized the Land Rights Act of 2009 governing customary land, stating that his people are dissatisfied with the decision and will seek legal redress after consultation with their lawyer. He further accused the Yarnee Statutory District Superintendent Dorr Henry Sobeor of contributing to the prolonged conflict.
