Sierra Leone — October 21, 2025: Two years after the demolition of homes in Angola Town by the Ministry of Lands, affected residents, including prominent journalist Alex Lawrence Koroma, continue to seek justice and resolution. Despite repeated appeals and parliamentary engagement, the matter remains unresolved, raising concerns over due process and citizens’ rights to land ownership.
Koroma, a former producer at Radio Democracy (98.1FM), Managing Editor of The Drone Newspaper, and Managing Partner of Liberty Online TV, is among several Sierra Leoneans whose homes were demolished without prior notice or a court order. The residents claim they were neither consulted nor given an opportunity to prove legal ownership before the demolition occurred.
During engagements with the Ministry of Lands, the affected parties say they received no meaningful response. They also reported that the Parliamentary Committee on Lands had promised to investigate the matter, but no findings have been made public to date.
The victims argue that the demolition violated their fundamental rights, especially as many had invested their life savings into building homes for their families. They allege that the Ministry’s actions favored foreign investors over local landowners, without recourse to legal procedures.
In light of President Julius Maada Bio’s recent public commitment to uphold citizens’ rights to land free from encumbrances, the victims have renewed their appeal for presidential intervention. They expressed hope that the President, known for his “talk and do” leadership style, will act decisively to restore justice and protect their rights.
Human rights campaigners have joined the call, describing the situation as a test of the government’s commitment to rule of law and equitable land governance. They argue that arbitrary demolitions undermine public trust and threaten the security of private investments.
“This is not just about land—it’s about dignity, justice, and the protection of citizens from unlawful actions,” said one campaigner. “The President must act to ensure that the rights of ordinary Sierra Leoneans are not sacrificed for unchecked development.”
As the dispute continues, the affected landowners remain steadfast in their demand for accountability, transparency, and restitution. Their plea is not only for compensation but for the affirmation of their right to fair treatment under the law.