By Jacqueline L. Dennis
Paynesville, Liberia – A court-mandated eviction in Paynesville turned violent on September 27, 2025, when bailiffs from the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court were attacked while enforcing a Writ of Possession on a disputed property located opposite Ma Kebbeh Gas Station, adjacent to EcoBank.
The eviction team, led by Sheriff Sieh Collins Jr., reportedly encountered fierce resistance allegedly organized by Mateya M. Toure, administratrix of the Intestate Estate of the late Mamadee M. Kamara. According to court sources and eyewitnesses, stones were hurled at officers, and several court personnel were assaulted, resulting in injuries and the abrupt suspension of the operation.
Court Seeks Police Intervention
Following the violent disruption, the Civil Law Court formally wrote to Liberia’s Inspector General of Police, Colonel Gregory Coleman, on October 2, 2025, requesting the deployment of officers from the Public Safety Unit (PSU) to assist in enforcing the Supreme Court’s eviction mandate.
Court officials confirmed that a new eviction date will be announced, with enhanced security measures to prevent further resistance or violence.
Supreme Court Upholds Lower Court Ruling
The eviction order stems from a long-standing legal battle between the estates of Batune Keita and Mamadee M. Kamara over ownership of the contested property. The dispute was recently settled in favor of the Keita family after the Supreme Court of Liberia upheld a lower court ruling and jury verdict ordering the removal of unlawful occupants from the land.
According to court documents, the Keita estate, represented by Mohammed Tanja Keita, initially filed the complaint in 2020, claiming that his father legally purchased one acre of land from Charles S. B. Watkins in 1989. The complaint alleged that during the elder Keita’s absence, the Kamara estate encroached on two lots and leased them to private businesses — including the one now occupied by EcoBank.
Survey Confirms Encroachmen
A court-sanctioned investigative survey conducted by Surveyor Samuel W. Danway Jr. confirmed that structures belonging to the Kamara estate extended onto the Keita family’s legally titled property. These findings were pivotal in the court’s decision to return possession of the land to the Keita estate.
During the trial, the Kamara estate challenged the validity of the survey and the power of attorney authorizing Mohammed Keita to represent his father. However, the Supreme Court, in an opinion delivered by Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, ruled that:
- The Keita estate’s title deed is valid;
- The survey was lawfully and adequately conducted;
- The “mother deed” was not required for boundary verification; and
- The jury’s unanimous verdict was supported by sufficient evidence.
Final Judgment and Enforcement
The Supreme Court directed the Sheriff of the Civil Law Court to enforce the Writ of Possession in accordance with the boundaries defined in the Keita family’s deed. All legal costs were assessed against the appellants.
Court officials reaffirmed that enforcement will continue with full support from the Liberia National Police until the final judgment is fully executed and possession is restored to the rightful owners.
