Illegal Land Encroachment…
Lieutenant Colonel M.A.B Koroma and LOR Restaurant Implicated
In the heart of Freetown Western Rural Area standsServices Senior Secondary School, a beacon of education for generations of students. Its sprawling land was not just a school ground but a sanctuary of learning, discipline, and hope for the community. But behind the school’s proud walls, a sinister scheme was unfolded one that threatens the school’s very existence.
At the center of the land controversy is Lieutenant Colonel M.A.B. Koroma, a well connected military officer entrusted to protect the school’s land. However, instead of protecting the school’s land, allegations are rifethat he had been leasing portions of it to LOR Restaurant, a popular spot that had mysteriously expanded its land demarcation in recent months.
The Leased Land Scandal
At first, the encroachment seemed harmless but it was discovered that a few tables and chairs were placed at the school’s fence. But suddenly construction work began. A large section of the school’s playground was fenced off, and a luxurious outdoor restaurant had emerged. Students are now forced to squeeze into smaller spaces for their sports activities, and teachers have complained that the noise from the restaurant is disrupting their lessons.
Concerned, the school’s Principal, Mr. Patrick Kamara, raised the alarm. He reached out to the Ministry of Education, local authorities, and even the School Board, demanding answers. But no one dared to challenge the powerful Lieutenant Colonel Koroma a man with deep military and political ties.
It was the Student Union President, Aminata Jalloh, who finally ignited a movement. She, along with a group of determined students, began gathering evidence photographs of the land being used for private business, recordings of restaurant workers admitting they were leasing from Koroma, and testimonies from former staff who had been silenced with threats.
The Community Rises
When the students presented their findings to the community, outrage spread like wildfire. Parents, teachers, and local activists joined forces, demanding that the land be returned to the school. The case was soon picked up by journalists, and a well-known investigative reporter, Samuel Bah, published an explosive article titled “Service School for Sale?”
With pressure mounting, the government was forced to intervene. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) launched an investigation, and within weeks, Lieutenant Colonel M.A.B. Koroma was summoned for questioning. Under intense scrutiny, leaked documents revealed that he had personally signed off on a secret lease agreement, collecting monthly payments from Lor Restaurant under the guise of “community development.”
Justice and Restoration
Facing public backlash, Koroma was suspended, and a legal battle ensued. The government revoked the illegal lease, and Lor Restaurant was ordered to vacate the premises immediately. Bulldozers arrived, demolishing the unauthorized structures, and the land was officially returned to Service Senior Secondary School.
The victory was not just for the students but for the entire community. It was a testament to the power of unity, accountability, and the unbreakable spirit of those who believed that education must never be sacrificed for personal greed.
As the school resumed normal activities, Aminata Jalloh, the student who had led the charge, was honored with a national award for bravery. And from that day forward, Service Senior Secondary School stood not only as a place of learning but as a symbol of resistance against corruption.
