The long awaited verdict in the three decades long Court battle over the Diamond Mining village of Walihun on the bank of the Sewa River in the Bumpeh Ngao Chiefdom, Bo District, has been handed down in favour of Haja Mamie Yayah Gatewa of Mogbedeh town in the local Court presided over by Court Chairman Joseph S. Kobba.
On Friday February 4th 2011 the Court ruled that the defendant Foday Kanesie has no legal hold on the land in question as per the statements adduced from all of the witnesses. They categorically stated that the portion of land which has been in dispute rightfully belongs to the Plaintiff who is in possession of the legal documents signed by concerned Local Chiefs.
The Chairman in turn debunked the earlier evidence purporting that Walihun has been deserted and further displayed a sketch map of the village with houses noting that the Court was in total shock and dismay upon reaching Walihun for the first time marking the site visit made by the Court.
The Court further ruled that the defendant Foday Kanesie and family has to pay the Court’s expenditure of One million eight hundred and eighty two thousand Leones to the Plaintiff Haja Mamie Yayah in 14 days time.
Responding the defendant Foday Kanesie dismissed the verdict and further promised to register an appeal.
Haja Mamie Yayah Gatewa thanked the Court and further demanded that no one enters the land as was the case before the verdict a demand that was agreed upon by the Court now that verdict has been rendered in the matter.
The long running Court battle has been heard in respective Courts only for it to be reverted to the original Court as its jurisdiction largely has to do with the locality which can readily provide the evidences and witnesses in question.
By Easmon Moiguah
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