The Supreme Court of Liberia has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Bea Mountain Mining Company (BMMC), requiring the company to conduct a survey involving claims of encroachment by citizens of Ngojah in Grand Cape Mount County. This order was given on Monday, November 2, 2026, and the deadline falls on November 23, 2026. The case involves a long-running dispute over land encroachment and the use of ancestral land for waste dumping.
The dispute centers on a 1,572-acre ancestral land in Ngojah Town, Tewor District, for which the citizens hold a duly issued and probated deed, registered with the Liberia Land Authority (LLA). The people of Ngojah, including elders, chiefs, and over 2,000 inhabitants, have instituted legal action against BMMC for encroachment and for using their land to dump waste products without due regard and benefits to the town.
A private licensed surveyor hired by Ngojah citizens has established that BMMC has encroached approximately 34.5 acres into Ngojah Township at the Bangoma and Masakpa boundaries, using it for waste dumping. The report claimed that the encroached area is environmentally degraded and unfit for habitation and farming. This survey's findings have contributed to the ongoing legal battle between the two parties.
In February 2026, the Supreme Court ordered lawyers representing BMMC and the citizens of Ngojah to reach a settlement agreement on the long-running encroachment dispute. However, BMMC has since defaulted, leading to the current ultimatum. The court's latest order requires BMMC to conduct a joint boundary re-establishment survey within the given timeframe.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for land rights in Liberia, particularly for rural communities. The citizens of Ngojah are seeking compensation and cessation of further dumping pending the joint boundary re-establishment survey. The case tests whether a title deed can protect a rural town against a powerful concessionaire.
The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the judiciary's role in resolving disputes between concessionaires and local communities. The court's decision to give BMMC a 21-day ultimatum indicates its determination to enforce the law and protect the rights of the citizens of Ngojah. The survey's results will likely determine the next steps in this ongoing dispute.
As the deadline approaches, both parties are expected to take necessary actions to comply with the court's order. The survey's findings will be crucial in determining the extent of BMMC's encroachment and the compensation owed to the citizens of Ngojah. The case highlights the need for effective land governance and conflict resolution mechanisms in Liberia.
Key points
- The Supreme Court of Liberia has given BMMC 21 days to conduct a survey involving claims of encroachment by citizens of Ngojah.
- The dispute centers on a 1,572-acre ancestral land in Ngojah Town, for which the citizens hold a duly issued and probated deed.
- A private surveyor alleges that BMMC has encroached approximately 34.5 acres into Ngojah Township, using it for waste dumping.
