Published: November 11, 2024
MONROVIA – Madam Anna Wilson, a Liberian living in the United States, says she is heartbroken and frustrated after allegedly being defrauded of $20,000 in a land purchase deal in Liberia. Wilson, who was born in Montserrado County and raised in Logan Town, left Liberia during the civil war in 1990 and has since been living in the U.S.
Driven by a desire to give back to her homeland, Wilson envisioned creating a school and community for women and children in Liberia. However, her plan took a tragic turn when she found herself entangled in a web of alleged deceit, bribery, and betrayal involving trusted intermediaries, local officials, and members of Liberia’s legal system.
A Vision of Returning Home
Years ago, Wilson was inspired by a vivid dream to open a school for women and children in Liberia. Despite her family already running a school in Konola, Margibi County, she felt called to establish her own project. She decided to purchase 15 acres of land in Kpehkor, Bomi County Highway, to create a supportive community.
The Purchase Plan and Initial Concerns
Wilson entrusted Aries B. Nyemah, also known as Leona B. Johnson, as an intermediary to facilitate the purchase, sending her $20,000 in good faith. Wilson’s sister even traveled to Liberia to oversee the process. However, communication with Nyemah soon became problematic, as she dodged calls and became difficult to reach, raising immediate concerns about the transaction’s legitimacy.
Adding to her suspicions, a U.S.-based contact who assists others with land transactions in Liberia informed Wilson that the land in Kpehkor did not exist. Instead, the property linked to her transaction was located in Royesville, an undeveloped area with little infrastructure. This discrepancy raised a red flag, leading Wilson to demand documentation from Nyemah, who evaded her requests with various excuses.
Seeking clarity, Wilson hired attorney Henry Butty, but despite her efforts, she could not obtain clear information about the land. Wilson later discovered that a land administrator, Casher Brown, allegedly conspired with Nyemah and her mother, Jamesetta Darpoh Ledlow (also known as Jamesetta Darpoh Johnson), who lives in Massachusetts. Brown allegedly falsified documents and manipulated maps to support the fraudulent scheme.
Family’s Efforts and Further Discoveries
Wilson’s sister, Bindu, traveled to Liberia to investigate the land and found two men fighting over the property. A local resident confirmed there was no land available for Wilson, indicating she was not the rightful owner of any property in the area. Reports suggested that Nyemah’s mother, Darpoh, had directed her daughter from abroad on how to proceed with the sale under false pretenses.
Frustrated, Wilson demanded accountability from Nyemah and her mother, but her suspicions of foul play deepened when Darpoh appeared nervous at the accusations.
A Legal System’s Failure to Provide Justice
Realizing the extent of the fraud, Wilson sought justice by taking Nyemah to authorities. However, she encountered alleged corruption within the police force itself. Wilson claimed that an officer, Madison Laramie, demanded a $650 bribe to facilitate Nyemah’s arrest, though she ultimately sent $400 for “expenses” like gasoline for police vehicles. Despite her efforts, her case appeared stalled at every turn.
Wilson alleged that high-ranking officials, including Judge Quincy Garnett of Bensonville City Court, obstructed her case by falsifying documents. She claimed that Garnett accepted a bribe from Darpoh to create dismissal documents, which were presented as proof to avoid further police action.
Wilson also accused other officials of accepting bribes to protect Nyemah. She recounted an instance in which a woman named Annette, linked to Nyemah’s mother, allegedly worked with an officer named Johnny B. Dean to block Nyemah’s arrest.
A Plea for Systemic Reform
Despite the setbacks, Wilson remains determined to pursue justice and expose the alleged corruption she has encountered. “We want to come home to create a good Liberia, but these people are saying no way,” she lamented, voicing the frustration shared by many Liberians abroad who face barriers when attempting to invest in their homeland.
Wilson hopes her story will serve as a warning to other expatriates looking to invest in Liberia. She emphasizes the need for reform to create transparency and accountability in Liberia’s land acquisition process and legal system. By sharing her experience, she aims to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Liberians and to drive meaningful change within the legal system to protect vulnerable individuals.
As she continues her fight, Wilson is calling for the revocation of licenses for Judge Quincy Garnett and attorney Samuel Y. Zaza, whom she believes have obstructed her case.
This is a developing story as investigations continue.
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