The residents of Kunkujang Mariama village have been reportedly ordered to vacate the village as the land in which they have long resided in belonged to one Jerreh Bojang.

The close knit village, of over a thousand residents mainly from the minority Manjago tribe, have been purportedly ordered to vacate the village before May 30.  

The eviction notice is said to be based on a writ of possession that purportedly came from the Kombo South District Tribunal for a matter in which Jerreh Bojang sued for possession of the land area of Kunkujang Mariama.

According to the alleged writ, Jerreh Bojang of Nambara Kunda in Sanyang is said to have power of attorney for Saikou Bojang who claims the land area of Kunkujang Mariama belonged to him.

It is stated that he (Jerreh Bojang) sued Baba Mendy and others of Kunkujang Mariama village for repossession of the land that they have built their houses.

However the residents who have lived in the land for many years said they were not aware of any eviction notice.

Baba Mendy, one of the named defendants said he was not aware of any summons or judgment from the Kombo South District Tribunal concerning a land dispute in Kunkujang Mariama.

The Sheriff Division of the High Court also said they were not aware of any writ of possession or eviction notice emanating from its offices.  

The Chief of Kombo South, Lamin Darboe, denied any knowledge of a writ of possession or the case between Baba Mendy and Saikou Bojang.

The village of Kunkunjang Mariama is regarded as a holy place by many Catholics in the Gambia and abroad. It is a village of pilgrimage for many devout Catholics.   

Francis D. Mendy, chairman of the Gambia Catholic Shrine Committee, said that the properties the villagers are occupying belong to the Roman Catholic Mission.  

He said the land was acquired more than thirty years ago and forms part of the patrimony of the Diocese of Banjul.