Joe Coye back in court over another piece of land

Government backpedalled in court today in a land case involving Former Minister of Health, Jose Coye. Coye is suing the government for a piece of land that was wrongfully acquired from him. Coye’s family-run company, Aquaworld, purchased and was developing ten acres of land in the inner Placencia lagoon for commercial purposes. But in July of last year the government issued the first notice that the land was being compulsorily acquired to be used as a nature reserve and then in August the acquisition was made official. The Coyes appeared before Chief Justice Abdulai Conteh, represented by Senior Counsel Eamon Courtenay, seeking a declaration that the land was unconstitutionally acquired and should be returned to Aquaworld. The attorney for the Attorney General’s Office, Magali Perdomo, admitted that the acquisition was an administrative error and submitted that Gaspar Vega, the Minister of Natural Resources, was willing to transfer the land back to Aquaworld. But by law, the minister does not have the power do so, which is why the matter came before the courts. Before adjourning the case, the Chief Justice questioned the government’s attorney asking them to explain that since GOB is conceding that the land acquisition was erroneous, then why shouldn’t he enter a judgment for the claimants and have the parties discuss compensation and costs. Her response was they are admitting to the error, but not to the claim that the transaction was unlawful. So the case goes back before the CJ on Tuesday morning for a further hearing and a decision.