MONROVIA, Liberia — The Supreme Court has affirmed a lower court’s judgment in a protracted property dispute involving the Intestate Estate of the late Saye Sippi, upholding a jury verdict of liability against several appellants and awarding US$75,000 in general damages for unlawful occupation of the estate’s property.
The ruling, handed down during the Court’s October Term, A.D. 2025, was signed by Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., along with Associate Justices Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, Yussif D. Kaba, Ceaineh D. Clinton-Johnson, and Boakai N. Kanneh. The judgment was officially issued under the seal of the Supreme Court on February 13, 2026.
Background of the Dispute
The case stemmed from an action of ejectment filed by the Intestate Estate of the late Saye Sippi against Yekeh Kolubah, Dejoe George, Laura Kiekpo, Caroline Frozen Food Branch 02, and Ricky Greigre, all residents of Montserrado County.
The estate alleged that the defendants unlawfully occupied and withheld its property based on what it described as a fraudulent Administrator’s Deed.
In their defense, the appellants asserted legitimate ownership of the disputed parcel. They contended that in 2004, the estate sold approximately 0.34 lot of land to Philip Kiekpo and issued an Administrator’s Deed in the name of his wife, Laura Kiekpo. According to the appellants, Laura Kiekpo later conveyed the property to Ricky Greigre, who subsequently leased it to Yekeh Kolubah through his attorney-in-fact, Dejoe George.
The defendants also maintained that a related matter involving the same property was pending before the Supreme Court.
Estate Alleges Fraud
The estate categorically denied ever selling the property to Philip Kiekpo or issuing any Administrator’s Deed in favor of Laura Kiekpo. It maintained that the deed relied upon by the appellants was forged and fraudulent.
During trial proceedings, witnesses for the estate testified that Philip Kiekpo approached the estate in 2018 seeking to purchase the land but was refused. Another witness recounted that in 2013, the late Judge Holder of the Probate Court questioned the authenticity of a deed filed by Philip Kiekpo and instructed him to produce the alleged grantors—an order he reportedly failed to satisfy.
The estate further denied receiving US$2,000 allegedly paid toward burial expenses, describing both the claim and the accompanying receipt as fraudulent.
After hearing the evidence, the empaneled jury returned a verdict finding the defendants liable.
Supreme Court’s Analysis
On appeal, the Supreme Court reaffirmed the long-established principle that a jury is the exclusive judge of the facts and determines the preponderance of the evidence, except where a verdict is manifestly against the weight of the evidence.
The High Court held that the estate presented “clear, cogent, and convincing” proof that the deed relied upon by some of the appellants to transfer title was a product of fraud. Accordingly, the Court ruled that the jury’s verdict would not be disturbed.
The justices concluded that the trial court did not err in affirming the jury’s finding of liability against the appellants.
Modification of Damages
While upholding the lower court’s ruling on liability, the Supreme Court modified the award of damages.
The Court observed that under Liberian law, special damages must be specifically pleaded and proven at trial. It found that the estate failed to establish specific damages beyond the wrongful withholding and occupation of the property.
As a result, the Supreme Court awarded general damages in the amount of US$75,000 for the unlawful occupation and withholding of the estate’s property.
The Court affirmed the lower court’s judgment with modification and directed the Clerk of Court to issue a mandate instructing the trial court to resume jurisdiction and enforce the judgment. Costs of the proceedings were ruled against the appellants.
The decision brings closure to a long-running dispute and reinforces the Court’s position on the sanctity of property rights and the evidentiary burden required to sustain claims involving alleged fraudulent conveyances.
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