…Suspends Officials, Dismisses Four Employees Over Misconduct
By Amos Harris
Monrovia, Liberia – October 31, 2025 – The Liberia Land Authority (LLA) has revoked a Development Grant Deed issued to the Grand Gedeh County Local Government and has taken disciplinary action against several county and LLA officials. The decision stems from significant violations of the Land Rights Act of 2018 and acts of misconduct related to the unauthorized lease of customary land.
Speaking at a news conference today at the LLA headquarters on Ashmun Street, Chairman Samuel Kpakio disclosed that the revocation followed an investigation into a lease agreement for 500 acres of land located in the B’hai Administrative District.
Chairman Kpakio stated that the Superintendent of Grand Gedeh County entered into the lease agreement with a Burkinabe national without proper authorization. This action, according to Kpakio, violated Article 49 of the Land Rights Act, which strictly governs the sale, lease, and transfer of customary land.
Further investigations revealed that both the Superintendent and the County Land Administrator, Mr. Paye Freeman, deliberately misled LLA Management during the process of issuing and signing the deed.
The LLA clarified that the disputed parcel is customary land, collectively owned by the people of Juzon Town, B’hai Administrative District. This land is protected under Article 32 of the Land Rights Act, which recognizes communal ownership based on traditional customs and long-term occupancy.
As a result of the findings, the LLA has taken swift action against local officials:
- Mr. Paye Freeman, the County Land Administrator, has been suspended indefinitely.
- Mr. David N. Togbasie, the Grand Gedeh County Land Dispute Officer, has also been suspended indefinitely.
Both suspensions are pending a full-scale investigation into their involvement in the unauthorized transaction.
The LLA has also forwarded the matter to the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for further legal action.
In a related development, LLA Management announced the dismissal of four internal employees following an administrative investigation conducted under Chapter 4.2.3 of the Civil Service Agency’s Standing Orders.
The dismissed employees are:
- A. Tolbert, Assistant Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
- James Perkings, Case Investigator, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
- Earlyn O. Cooper, Database Officer, Alternative Dispute Resolution Division
- Steve Kennedy, Assistant Director, Public Land Vetting Division
These employees were found guilty of misapplication, misconduct, insubordination, and administrative malpractice, which the LLA deemed “serious breaches of civil service regulations and internal ethical standards.”
Effective immediately, the dismissed employees have been instructed to return all LLA property, including documents and equipment, to the Human Resource Division.
Chairman Kpakio emphasized that due process was fully observed during all investigation and disciplinary proceedings. He reaffirmed the LLA’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical governance within Liberia’s land management system.
“The Liberia Land Authority remains steadfast in promoting professionalism, discipline, and ethical conduct among its workforce,” the statement concluded. “We will continue to uphold public trust and strengthen governance systems within the land sector.”
The Authority has also warned the public against conducting any official business with the suspended or dismissed individuals, stating that anyone who does so will be acting “at their own risk.” The LLA expressed gratitude to the Government of Liberia, development partners, and citizens, pledging to build a land management framework that promotes peace, justice, and sustainable development across the country.