Eric W. Wowoh: Faces Criminal Conveyance Charges in Liberia for Double Sale

• Eric W. Wowoh, 50, is charged with theft of property and criminal conveyance of land in Liberia.
• He allegedly sold two lots and an unfinished house in Margibi County to a Liberian-American couple, Rebekah and John Acquah, then resold it to another party.
• The Acquahs reportedly paid varying amounts towards the US$30,500 purchase price, plus taxes to the Liberia Land Authority.
• Wowoh was arrested in September after the couple's lawyer reported the alleged double sale.
• The charges fall under Liberia Penal Law Sections 15.5 and 15.23, and the case will proceed to court.

For lawyers advising clients, particularly foreign investors interested in the Liberian property market, this incident emphasizes the critical need for rigorous due diligence and thorough title verification.

A 50-year-old man, Eric W. Wowoh, faces serious criminal charges in Liberia, including theft of property and criminal conveyance of land, following allegations that he sold the same property twice. The charges stem from a complaint filed by a Liberian-American couple, Rebekah Acquah and her husband, John Acquah, who reside in Rhode Island. According to a Liberia National Police charge sheet dated October 6, Wowoh had entered into an agreement in December 2024 to sell two lots and an unfinished house located in the Rock Church Community, Duazon, Margibi County, to the Acquahs. The agreed purchase price for this property was US$30,500, with US$5,500 allocated for the land and US$25,000 for the structure.

The police document further details that in February 2025, Mr. Wowoh provided the Acquahs with essential property documents, including administrator, warranty, and transfer deeds. However, he subsequently retrieved these documents from a location referred to as "the Arcade" and allegedly proceeded to convey the identical property to a different buyer. Regarding the financial transactions, the charge sheet presents conflicting figures for the payments made by the couple; its complaint section indicates US$18,741 was paid towards the purchase, while investigators reported Wowoh admitted receiving US$9,200 from Rebekah Acquah as a partial payment. The official document does not reconcile this discrepancy. Additionally, Rebekah Acquah reportedly paid US$482.34 in taxes related to the property to the Liberia Land Authority.

The case was brought to the attention of the police Crime Services Department on September 11 by the couple's legal representative, Atty. Stephen B. Lavelah of Kailando and Associate Law Firm. Subsequently, Detective Joseph S. Nagbe arrested Wowoh at the police headquarters in Monrovia on September 16, as confirmed by police records. Wowoh is identified as a native of Fissibu Town, Lofa County, and is associated with the Change Action Network, though the charge sheet explicitly states that this organization played no role in the property transaction.

The charges against Eric W. Wowoh fall under specific provisions of the Liberia Penal Law. He has been formally charged with theft of property, pursuant to Section 15.5, which encompasses offenses such as receiving money under false pretenses. Additionally, he faces a charge of criminal conveyance of land, as outlined in Section 15.23 of the Penal Law. Police investigators clarified the basis for these accusations: the criminal conveyance charge is predicated on the alleged resale of property that Wowoh had already committed to selling to the Acquah couple. The theft charge, conversely, is based on his purported acceptance of their money without fulfilling the terms of the sale.

Authorities have indicated their intention to forward the case to court for further proceedings. However, the official charge sheet leaves several key questions unanswered. It does not provide information regarding whether the disputed property has been recovered, nor does it identify the second buyer involved in the alleged double sale property Liberia. Furthermore, the document does not specify if any of the funds paid by the Acquahs have been refunded, or if Mr. Wowoh remains in police custody following his arrest. These details remain undisclosed in the public record provided by the police.

This case, involving Eric W. Wowoh and the alleged double sale of property in Margibi County, underscores the significant risks associated with land transactions in Liberia and highlights the criminal consequences for land fraud. The charges of criminal conveyance and theft of property serve as a stark reminder of the legal repercussions individuals face when engaging in deceptive practices within the real estate sector. For lawyers advising clients, particularly foreign investors interested in the Liberian property market, this incident emphasizes the critical need for rigorous due diligence and thorough title verification.

The potential for a double sale property Liberia scenario, as alleged here, necessitates an exhaustive examination of property histories and ownership records to safeguard against fraudulent schemes. Ensuring that clients conduct comprehensive checks before committing funds can prevent them from becoming victims of similar disputes, such as the Rebekah Acquah property dispute. This case reinforces the importance of robust legal counsel throughout the acquisition process to mitigate risks and protect investments in a complex property landscape.

Lawyers advising clients on property transactions in Liberia, particularly those involving foreign investors, should note this case as a stark reminder of the criminal consequences for land fraud and the critical need for rigorous due diligence and title verification to prevent clients from falling victim to similar schemes.

Source: Original reporting via Liberia National Police charge sheet.