By Cecilia E.L. Mendy
Gibril Bah, the Alkalo (Village head) of Nema Kunku, on Tuesday testified before the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court in an ongoing land dispute concerning a parcel of land in Sukuta.
Testifying before Magistrate Z.N. Mboob, Bah adopted a witness statement he made on 12 June 2024 as his evidence-in-chief.
Bah told the court that he has served as Alkalo of Nema Kunku since May 1997. He said his late elder brother, Momodou Bah, held the position from 1978 until 1997.
During cross-examination, he testified that before becoming Alkalo, he worked as a civil servant with the Education Department and was posted to several regions, including the Upper River, Lower River, Central River and West Coast regions.
Bah said his father, Mounde Bah, died on 25 December 1978 while he was stationed in Barra, after which his elder brother succeeded him as Alkalo.
On the disputed land, Bah told the court that he was not yet born when it was acquired and rejected suggestions that his elder brother had obtained it.
He maintained that the land was acquired by his father from the Manyer Kunda Kabilo and is situated opposite the Sukuta market.
According to his testimony, Baba Seedy Cham was the Kabilo head and Karanta Banna Cham was the Alkalo at the time of the acquisition.
Bah said he was born in 1954 and that his father became Alkalo in 1940. He told the court that his knowledge of the transaction was based on family accounts indicating that his father acquired the land from the Manyer Kunda Kabilo.
He further testified that the land was given to his father free of charge and was not purchased.
Bah said no documentation was executed between the Manyer Kunda Kabilo and his father. He added that he later made inquiries at the Area Council to determine whether any records existed but found none.
The witness acknowledged that his statement did not mention the names of Baba Seedy Cham and Karanta Banna Cham.
He also confirmed that the matter was previously heard before the Kombo North District Tribunal and later referred to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Secretariat (ADRS).
When shown Exhibit P4, Bah identified himself as one of the complainants and confirmed that Alagie Bah and 10 others were listed as respondents. He also confirmed that the document was dated 19 March 2015.
Bah testified that no ADRS hearing took place regarding the matter, claiming that he was the only person present, although he confirmed making a statement before the secretariat.
He further alleged that the disputed land was fraudulently registered in his elder brother’s name in 2014 and acknowledged that he was aware of the registration at the time.
The case was adjourned until 4 June 2026 for continuation of proceedings.
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