By Jamesetta D. Williams
Monrovia-Former Monrovia City Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee says he has handed over a disputed property on 19th Street, Coleman Avenue, in Sinkor to Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, while insisting that the decision does not amount to an admission of guilt or an end to his political struggle.
Koijee made the disclosure in a statement following what he described as the intervention of his spiritual father, Pastor Philemon A. Tarpeh, popularly known as “The Pioneer.”
He said the decision to hand over the premises was motivated by his faith and desire for peace, but maintained that questions surrounding the ownership of the property remain unresolved.
“Let nobody twist this. I am not surrendering, and I am not admitting guilt,” Koijee stated, adding that he had taken his case to what he described as “God’s higher court.”
The former mayor also questioned the circumstances surrounding the property’s ownership, citing earlier public allegations about his acquisition of the building and a recent court document involving the same premises.
According to Koijee, on September 18, 2018, Mo Ali, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation, publicly alleged that he had purchased a house valued at US$250,000 in less than nine months.
Koijee said the allegation had been used for years to portray him as corrupt.
However, he claimed that a writ of summons issued by the Monrovia City Magisterial Court on October 13, 2026, showed that Vice President Koung was claiming the same property.
He questioned why the property had previously been associated with him in public allegations but was now being claimed by the Vice President.
The former mayor called on the government to explain the circumstances surrounding the dispute.
However, the details of the writ of summons, the legal basis of the Vice President’s claim, and the current status of the property dispute were not provided in Koijee’s statement.
In the statement, Koijee also revisited allegations against him and the sanctions announced against him on December 8, 2023.
He accused the Boakai-Koung administration of using political propaganda against him and argued that, despite what he described as nearly three years of accusations, the authorities had failed to prove the allegations against him in court.
Koijee questioned the evidence supporting the accusations, asking where the alleged bank accounts, properties, and other evidence were.
His claims could not be independently verified from the statement, and the specific allegations and any related legal proceedings were not detailed.
The former mayor also referred to the challenges he said he faced following the sanctions, including difficulties obtaining visas, but maintained that he had remained politically active despite the setbacks.
He credited Pastor Tarpeh with supporting him through prayer and fasting during that period.
Koijee further defended his record as mayor of Monrovia, describing his time in office as an opportunity to serve the Liberian people rather than a chance to enjoy personal privileges.
He cited his continued use of an official vehicle purchased by his predecessor, saying he did not acquire a new official vehicle throughout his six years in office.
According to Koijee, he was involved in an accident on June 16, 2018, while using the same vehicle but continued to use it afterward.
He urged the public to check records at Monrovia City Hall to verify his claim.
The former mayor presented the example as evidence of what he described as his commitment to public service and responsible use of government resources.
Koijee also directed questions at Chairman George Sylvester Mulbah, asking whether Mulbah was employed in the Office of Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung.
He said he had made the inquiry repeatedly and demanded a direct response.
However, the statement did not provide further details about the circumstances behind the question or include a response from Mulbah.
Despite handing over the disputed premises, Koijee said he intended to remain politically active and continue advocating for what he described as constitutional governance, independent courts, and justice for all Liberians.
He maintained that the property handover would not silence him or weaken his commitment to the opposition.
Koijee also pointed to the 2029 elections as a major political destination, expressing confidence that his political movement would achieve victory.
“Giving up a building is not giving up the fight,” he said, adding that the property could be handed over without abandoning his political beliefs or demands for accountability.
The former mayor concluded his statement by reaffirming his faith and declaring that his political struggle would continue.
As of the time of this report, a response from Vice President Koung or his office regarding Koijee’s claims about the property had not been included in the information available.
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