By Louise Jobe
A legal dispute over a Christian cemetery in Manduarr village has reached the Kombo Central District Tribunal, with three local residents claiming ownership of the burial ground.
The case, which was first heard on March 12, involves a plot of land that the Christian community says was allocated to them in 2005 by village elders. Since then, they have used the site as their cemetery without interruption.
Pierre F. Gomez, speaking on behalf of the Christian community, told the tribunal that they have buried their dead at the site for nearly two decades. However, Lamin Jatta, Lamin Jarju, and Bintou Jatta, all from Manduarr, have laid claim to the land, sparking the legal battle.
During the initial hearing, Chief (Seyfo) of Brikama ruled that the Christian community must provide a power of attorney to represent their interests in court. When the case resumed on March 19, Gomez submitted the required documentation, which the court admitted.
With legal formalities in place, the tribunal now prepares for a critical next step: a visit to the disputed land.
