Africa-Press – Liberia. The national debate over land ownership and the demolition of disputed properties has intensified, as a native of Bong County residing in the United States has challenged assertions that private landowners are solely responsible for fraudulent land transactions across the country.
Fred T. Sodone, a Liberian and United States-based Human Resources Management, Compliance, and Policy expert, made the remarks in response to recent comments by Senator Abe Dillon on OK FM.
According to Sodone, the ongoing demolition of properties in Montserrado County has generated legitimate public concern; however, placing the blame entirely on private citizens ignores the legal and institutional framework governing land transactions in Liberia.
Sodone argued that attributing fraudulent land sales exclusively to landowners reflects either a misunderstanding of Liberia’s legal processes or a reluctance to confront weaknesses within government oversight institutions.
He maintained that the Government of Liberia plays a central, legally mandated role at every stage of land transfer, from verification to final certification.
“Liberia’s land transaction system is not an informal arrangement between buyers and sellers,” Sodone asserted. “It is a structured legal process that requires government involvement at critical stages to ensure transparency, legitimacy, and protection against disputes.”
He emphasized that the framework was specifically designed to prevent fraud and confusion, the very issues now dominating public discourse.
Detailing the process, Sodone explained that the first stage begins when a landowner, whether an individual, family, corporation, or partnership, formally declares the intention to sell a parcel of land or real property.
This declaration initiates proceedings under established legal guidelines, according to Sodone. ‘’The second stage commences once a buyer agrees to purchase the property. At that point, the law requires the engagement of a government-licensed surveyor. The surveyor is responsible for verifying the seller’s legal authority and documentation, confirming and establishing property boundaries, conducting surveys in accordance with national standards, and, where necessary, notifying adjacent property owners to witness the demarcation of boundaries.’’
Sodone stressed that this step is not optional; rather, it is mandated by law to prevent overlapping claims and fraudulent sales.
Following the survey process, and provided that no ownership disputes arise, the transaction advances to the probate court. At this third stage, the court reviews all documentation, certifies and approves the sale, and issues a deed transferring ownership to the buyer. Once the court certifies the transfer, the new owner registers the property and begins paying property taxes.
“A court-certified deed represents legally recognized ownership under Liberian law,” Sodone noted.
Against this backdrop, he questioned why private landowners are being singled out when oversight responsibilities are clearly assigned to licensed surveyors and the judiciary.
He asked why the law requires surveyor verification and court approval if those institutions are not expected to bear responsibility when fraudulent transactions occur.
Sodone further raised concerns about where the systemic breakdown is taking place. ‘’If the original intent of the law was to ensure orderly, peaceful, and legally secure land transactions, he argued, then authorities must examine whether failures lie in enforcement, supervision, or accountability mechanisms, rather than placing the burden solely on private ownership,’’ he said.
“Every law has a history and a purpose,” he stated. “If the current system is no longer producing the intended results, then the solution lies in reforming its implementation, not in shifting blame.”
He described Liberia’s legal framework governing land sales as fundamentally sound but undermined by weak enforcement, poor implementation, insufficient accountability, and limited consequences for misconduct.
To address the crisis, Sodone proposed several reforms. He called for the immediate revocation of licenses and criminal prosecution for any surveyor who fails to follow legally mandated procedures.
He also urged that judges found guilty of improperly transferring ownership be removed from office, stripped of their legal credentials, and subjected to financial penalties.
Additionally, he recommended that sellers and buyers involved in proven fraudulent transactions face criminal charges. He advocated for government refunds of improperly collected property taxes, with restitution recovered from individuals responsible for fraudulent transfers.
Sodone further proposed that the government establish a realistic pricing structure for openly developed land without dispute and initiate lawful processes for regularization. He also suggested an automatic waiver for land that has remained abandoned for more than ten years without payment of property taxes or visible development.
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