MONROVIA – Days following civil law court ruling on Monday of this week to evict the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) from its national headquarters in Congo Town, outside Monrovia, in favor of the Barnards Family Estate, the legally affirmed owners of the 4.23-acre property, the former ruling party has again been evicted from its Grand Bassa County chapter office.
It can be recalled Judge George Smith of the Civil Law Court ‘A’ at the Temple of Justice ordered the Congress for Democratic Change to immediately vacate its national headquarters in Congo Town, outside Monrovia, following its ruling in favor of the Barnards Family Estate, the legally affirmed owners of the 4.23-acre property.
Judge George Smith handed down the decision, granting a motion for summary judgment filed by the estate’s legal representatives and affirming there were no genuine issues of material fact in dispute to warrant a trial.
The ruling effectively enforces a 2016 Supreme Court Judgment that had earlier declared the land to be the rightful property of the Barnards Family, represented by Estate Administrator Ebrima Varney Dempster.
“The evidence before the court supports the legitimacy of the sale and purchase agreement entered into between the CDC and the administrators of the estate,” Judge Smith stated in open court. “However, that transaction does not override the Supreme Court’s final ruling affirming ownership in favor of the Barnards Family.”
The judge emphasized that while the CDC had entered the premises based on contractual arrangements, the legal title to the property remains with the estate, and any continued occupation by the party is unlawful.
Just three days prior, on Friday, August 1, the court had denied a separate motion from CDC lawyers seeking to compel the estate to complete a sale of the property. The court maintained that no legal grounds existed to force the transaction, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s earlier verdict.
In the wake of the judgment, CDC’s legal counsel announced they intend to file an appeal to the Supreme Court, requesting a stay of enforcement and further review through Justice in Chambers Cieana Clinton-Johnson.
In a related development, the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has been evicted from its former headquarters in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, following claims of prolonged non-payment of rent.
According to the property owner, the party defaulted on rental payments for nearly two years, prompting the termination of their lease agreement and eventual eviction from the premises.
“I waited for too long without any results,” the landlord stated. “They consistently failed to honor the lease, and I had no choice but to reclaim my property.”
The CDC office had served as a key political hub for the party in Grand Bassa, but it now sits vacant with a large “For Lease” sign posted at the entrance. Contact information has been made available for interested parties.
Local residents expressed mixed reactions to the development. While some sympathized with the landlord’s decision, others described the situation as embarrassing for one of the country’s leading political parties.
As of press time, CDC officials in the county are yet to release an official statement addressing the eviction or their future plans for reestablishing a county office.
The eviction has raised broader questions about the party’s financial management at the county level as the political season slowly gains momentum.
Meanwhile, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced it will file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia, seeking a stay of enforcement following a Civil Law Court ruling ordering the party to vacate its national headquarters in Congo Town.
