The Management of the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), through the assistance of the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), has with immediate effect, revoked a Development Grant Deed.
The Deed was previously issued to the Grand Gedeh County Local Government for land located in the B’hai Administrative District.
The institution has also resulted in the dismissal of four of its employees for “Administrative Malpractice.”
LLA Chairman, Samuel F. Kpakio made the disclosure on Friday, October 31, 2025, in Monrovia.
Kpakio said the decision followed the discovery that the Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County, Alex Grant acted unilaterally, and without the necessary authority, entered into a lease agreement with a Burkina Faso national for 500 acres of land in the B’hai Administrative District.
He said such action constitutes a clear violation of Article 49 of the Land Rights Act of 2018, which governs the sale, lease and transfer of customary land.
“Further investigation revealed that both the Superintendent and the County Land Administrator of Grand Gedeh misled the Management of the LLA during the issuance, and signing of the said deed,” Kpakio said.
He said the officials bypassed established procedures and guideline required for granting a Development Grant Deed.
Kpakio pointed out that the land in question is a customary land collectively owned by the residents of Juzon Town, B’hai Administrative District.
As such, it is protected under Article 32 of the Land Rights Act of 2018, which recognizes customary ownership based on traditional norms, long-term occupancy and communal use.
“In view of these findings, the LLA has with immediate effect, suspended Grand Gedeh County Land Administrator, Paye Freeman, and the county Land Dispute Officer, David N. Togbasie indefinitely, pending the outcome of a full-scale investigation into their alleged roles in misleading the Authority during the processing of the said deed.
In a related development, Mr. Kpakio said following a comprehensive administrative investigation, and in accordance with Chapter 4.2.3 of the Standing Orders of the Civil Service Agency (CSA), Management has dismissed four employees.
The dismissals are based on findings of misapplication, misconduct, insubordination and administrative malpractice, all of which constituted serious violations of the CSA rules, professional ethics and internal policies governing public servants and LLA internal policy.
Those affected by the LLA action are the Assistant Director, Paul A. Tolbert, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division, James Perkings, Case Investigator, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division, Earlyn O. Cooper, Database Officer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division, and the Assistant Director of Public Land Vetting Division, Steve Kenney.
“Effective Friday, October 31, 2025, the individuals named above are hereby separated from employ of the LLA. They are further directed to immediately surrender all LLA properties, including equipment, documents, and other materials to the Authority Human Resource Division.
The four affected employees will be forwarded to the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Agency for prosecution.
The public, has meanwhile been strongly advised not to do business with any of them, as doing so will be at their own risk.
Mr. Kpakio said the actions collectively reaffirm the institution’s unwavering commitment to integrity, transparency and accountability in the execution of its statutory mandate.
He then assures the public that due process was fully observed throughout all administrative and disciplinary proceedings, in strict compliance with the Labor Laws and Civil Service regulations.
Kpakio said the LLA remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency, professionalism, and discipline.