LANDS DIRECTOR GONE ROGUE!
A detailed and alarming complaint has formally reached State House, and its contents are sending tremors through the country’s land governance system. The letter — dated 20th November 2025 and addressed directly to His Excellency the President — accuses the Director of Lands, Mr. Tamba Dauda, of abusing his office, obstructing lawful property rights, and interfering in a private land matter without any legal basis or jurisdiction.
The complainant, Mr. Salim K. Sillah, is no ordinary citizen. He is a respected entrepreneur and private-sector leader who has spent two decades contributing to Sierra Leone’s economic development, especially in industries that have created thousands of jobs. Known widely for his clean record, public trustworthiness, and law-abiding reputation, Sillah describes the current ordeal as “deeply troubling, unjust, and destructive to the integrity of our land administration system.”
A Rare, Direct Appeal to the President
It is uncommon for private citizens to write directly to the Head of State on administrative issues — but Sillah argues that the matter has escalated beyond the capacity of the Ministry of Lands to resolve internally. His letter details a chain of procedural compliance that should have made the acquisition of his property straightforward and uncontroversial:
A High Court–supervised acquisition, considered one of the most reliable and transparent land transfer mechanisms in Sierra Leone.
A conveyance fully vetted, signed, and approved by the Ministry of Lands in February 2025 — under the same authority of the Director now blocking him.
Registration of all documents with the Office of the Registrar General on 13th March 2025 (No. 359/2025, Vol. 1013, Page 11).
Payment of all applicable taxes to the National Revenue Authority.
Repeated attempts to engage the Ministry professionally and lawfully.
With these steps completed, Sillah proceeded — legally — to begin constructing a perimeter fence around the property. It was at this moment that the ordeal began.
A Complaint Grounded in Evidence and Due Process
The crux of Sillah’s letter is not emotional frustration. It is a meticulous, evidence-backed presentation of how a lawful land transfer can be derailed by administrative inaction or personal interference inside the very institution meant to protect citizens’ property rights.
At the heart of his grievance are three major allegations:
Obstruction of lawful land rights despite compliance with all national regulations.
Non-responsiveness and non-compliance with due process by the Ministry of Lands.
Direct interference in a private land matter, allegedly on behalf of a foreign national.
These allegations are supported by documents, timelines, and a sequence of interactions with ministry officials, legal advisers, and high-level intermediaries.
A Case That Raises Alarming National Questions
Sillah warns that if this can happen to someone of his experience, access, and standing, the situation must be far worse for ordinary Sierra Leoneans — especially the poor and unconnected. His letter specifically cites the erosion of public confidence, the undermining of court-backed processes, and the dangerous precedent created when a public official substitutes personal influence for legal procedure.
This is why he has appealed to the President:
not only for his own sake, but for national governance integrity.
The Director’s Evasion: A Story Within the Story
In the course of our investigation into this matter, this media house sought clarification from the Director of Lands himself. We requested his side of the story, providing him with dates, times, and multiple channels to respond.
He agreed to two interview appointments.
He honoured neither.
He provided no alternative dates.
No formal excuse.
No explanation.
His silence — especially against the backdrop of such serious allegations — has only intensified public concern. It raises a critical journalistic question:
Why would the Director of Lands avoid addressing accusations this serious if he has nothing to hide?
A Case That Could Trigger State Intervention
This is not merely a private dispute. It exposes potential faults in:
institutional accountability,
administrative transparency,
citizen access to justice,
and the handling of land disputes in Sierra Leone.
As this story unfolds, all eyes are now on State House.
Will the President order a full investigation?
Will the Ministry of Lands provide answers?
And most importantly — will due process prevail?