By: Frank P Martin
MARGIBI COUNTY: Wendell McIntosh, a former Presidential Candidate in the 2017 Presidential and Legislative elections has been charged for criminal Facilitation and criminal conveyance, by the 13th Circuit Court of Margibi County.
The case stems from a complaint filed by Emmanuel Cole, a Liberian businessman residing in the United States, who alleges land fraud by McIntosh. Cole filed the complaint through his representative in Liberia, prompting the recent legal actions.
According to the details of the case, the Grand Jury of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court of Margibi County issued an indictment against McIntosh, accusing him of knowingly facilitating a fraudulent land sale.
The indictment claims that McIntosh accepted a payment of US$20,600 from Cole, providing him with a warranty deed under his own name and those of his family members—Jessica, Gabriel, and Portia McIntosh—despite allegedly lacking a legitimate title to the property in question.
McIntosh, in response to the allegations, has issued a public statement addressing the circumstances. “I am aware that the sheriff recently came to my residence with a writ of arrest, which was understandably embarrassing.
However, I have not evaded the court, nor was I summoned prior to this incident. While I am aware of the land dispute case, I maintain that I am in the right,” McIntosh said.
He further explained that his legal team, led by former Justice Minister Cllr. Koiboi Johnson, is actively handling the matter on his behalf.
However, the court has also issued writ of arrest for Mcintosh.
The court’s action has drawn attention to the ongoing issue of land disputes and alleged fraudulent activities related to property conveyance, highlighting the legal challenges often associated with land ownership in the country.
Liberia’s land disputes are rooted in a complex history shaped by colonialism, indigenous claims, and legal ambiguities.
In response, the government-initiated reforms, including the 2018 Land Rights Act, to formalize customary ownership and reduce disputes. Despite these efforts, inadequate record-keeping and corruption continue to challenge Liberia’s property system.
