- Giddings Says Oniyama Will Lose
The Liberian Government has reiterated its preparedness and determination to reclaim from businessman, Nelson Oniyama and other illegal occupants, the land on which the dilapidated Hotel Africa building sits, Public Works Minister, Roland Giddings, has said.
Minister Giddings argues that it is only the President of the Republic of Liberia that has the authority or power to sell or waive Public lands in the Republic, challenging Mr. Oniyama, who is claiming ownership of the land to bring forth a valid deed to substantiate his claim.
The Public Works made the remarks recently as guest on a local radio talk show in Monrovia, when he was asked about the status of the land dispute between the Government of Liberia and businessman, Oniyama.
Giddings emphasized that the Hotel Africa property remains a public property reserved for future national development, adding that the deed presented by Dr. Oniyama lacks legal validity bcause it was not signed by former President George Weah.
“Nobody conveys public land besides the President. President George Weah didn’t sign that deed. So it is not for him, and he is not going to own it,” Giddings said.
He said it is the Government’s intention to equally apply the law in the recovery of public lands.
Mr. Oniyama has in reaction accused the Public Works Minister of making public statements that could prejudice ongoing proceedings before the Civil Law Court, the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County.
Oniyama is the general manager of Monrovia Breweries Inc. and proprietor of the Sea View Golf Club in Virginia outside Monrovia. He said the Works Minister’s comments on the radio are in violation of the principle of fair trial.
His legal team has said Minister Giddings’ public declaration that the businessman has no legal ownership of the property is in clear violation of the law.
“Nelson Oniyama’s property will not stay. It will be taken from him. He doesn’t own it. He didn’t buy it,” Minister Giddings is quoted as saying.
Giddings maintains that the Government will repossess the property regardless of whether the matter was before the courts, arguing that the land forms part of the Hotel Africa property and remains government-owned.
Mr. Oniyama’s lawyers contend that the Minister’s remarks amount to a public pronouncement on issues currently before the judiciary.
“Such sweeping and unproven utterances by a senior government official not only undermine the records before the court but also expose Dr. Oniyama to public ridicule and damage his hard-earned reputation,” a source close to the legal team said.
Dispute Dates Back to 2025
According to court documents cited by the defense, the dispute began on October 6, 2025, when officials of the Ministry of Public Works allegedly entered property occupied by the Sea View Golf Club, marked structures with the inscription “MPW Remove,” and planted cornerstones around portions of the land.
Mr. Oniyama’s lawyers said they immediately informed the ministry that their client held legal title to the property and submitted supporting deeds. However, they alleged that Minister Giddings responded that demolition would proceed despite the documents presented.
Mr. Oniyama subsequently filed a Petition for Judicial Review before the Civil Law Court challenging the ministry’s actions. According to his lawyers, the court ordered the removal of the cornerstones, but the judicial review remains pending.
,A separate lawsuit was later filed on June 22, 2026, when the General Services Agency (GSA), together with the Ministry of Justice, petitioned the Civil Law Court to cancel Dr. Oniyama’s deed.
The government argues that the transaction did not comply with legal requirements and was never vetted by the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC).
Oniyama Defends Ownership
In his court filings, Mr. Oniyama rejects the government’s claims, maintaining that he lawfully acquired the property through the Liberia Land Authority under the Land Rights Act and the Liberia Land Authority Act.
His legal team argues that his rights to the property originated long before the current dispute. They point to a January 20, 2004 lease agreement executed by the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs covering 5.58 acres in the Hotel Africa area and a subsequent authorization allowing golf activities on adjoining land.
The defense further maintains that the government later issued a Development Grant Deed supporting the establishment of the Sea View Golf Club, Liberia’s only 18-hole international-standard golf course.
Lawyers also dispute allegations that the acquisition should have been subject to PPCC procurement procedures, arguing that Dr. Oniyama’s legal interest predates the commission’s establishment and therefore falls outside its requirements.
They additionally reject claims that he acquired approximately 100 acres, insisting all transactions involving the property were lawfully conducted through the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs.
