MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has taken its long-running property dispute to the Supreme Court of Liberia, challenging two recent court decisions it says threaten judicial fairness and undermine the rule of law.
The case centers on the party’s national headquarters in Congo Town, a property it has occupied for more than 20 years and claims to have significantly invested in. According to the CDC, negotiations to purchase the building began in 2024 with the Intestate Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard, represented by Mr. Ebrima Varney Dempster, culminating in a Right of First Refusal offer that the party says it accepted.
The CDC alleges that when it attempted to conduct routine due diligence on the property, the landlord reacted with hostility, filing an eviction case at the Civil Law Court in 2024. The party challenged that move before the Supreme Court, which in May 2025 ruled in its favor, affirming its legal tenancy.
However, the party says that instead of honoring the agreed sale, the Estate issued a one-week notice on June 2, 2025, a move the CDC calls a violation of the binding agreement.
CDC responded by filing a Specific Performance suit to compel the sale, but Presiding Judge George W. Smith dismissed the case without hearing its merits. The party further claims that the same court then entertained a summary proceeding for property recovery while its original case was still pending, allegedly in violation of Section 11.2.1(d) of Liberia’s Civil Procedure Law.
CDC National Chairman Atty. Janga A. Kowo criticized what he described as “serial denials” of the party’s legal motions, including a Motion to Dismiss and a Writ of Certiorari filed with Chamber Justice Cianeh Clinton Johnson.
“These decisions without due consideration of legal merits constitute an abuse of judicial discretion, undermining the rule of law and threatening Liberia’s democratic stability,” the party said in a statement.
The CDC also expressed concern over a directive in Judge Smith’s ruling that tasked the Liberian National Police rather than the Court Sheriff with enforcing the eviction, calling it “unprecedented” in a civil property matter and raising questions of judicial impartiality.
The party has filed Bills of Exceptions in both the Specific Performance and Summary Proceedings cases, which have been approved by Judge Smith. The CDC says its legal team is now finalizing appeals to the Supreme Court.
While reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the CDC condemned what it called “arbitrary judicial actions”. It warned that such practices risk eroding public trust in Liberia’s justice system.
In preparation for any eventual outcome, the party confirmed it is making arrangements to relocate to a new national headquarters if necessary.
Calling for calm, the CDC urged its members and supporters to “remain patient” as the appeals process unfolds.
