MONROVIA – Tensions are rising as the administrators of the late Martha Stubblefield Bernard’s estate, led by Mr. Ebrima V. Dempster, call on the Liberian government to enforce a Supreme Court order to evict the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) from the property housing its headquarters for nearly two decades. The estate, in a press release issued on Monday, September 16, 2024, urged immediate intervention from the government to uphold the rule of law.
“The Intestate Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard is therefore appealing to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice and the Liberian National Police to provide police protection to the Sheriff of the Civil Law Court for the eviction of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) in keeping with the mandate of the Supreme Court of Liberia,” the release stated. The estate administrators emphasized that the property is more than just land but symbolizes a legacy of peace, unity, and development that should be preserved.
Mr. Ebrima V. Dempster disclosed that the Liberia National Police (LNP) has failed to provide the necessary police support to enforce the repossession of the property. He noted that the Civil Law Court, on August 19, wrote to Inspector General of Police, Col. Gregory Coleman, requesting police assistance, but the Inspector General has yet to comply with the request.
The dispute over the property, located in Congo Town, Monrovia, began in August 2023 when the CDC was notified of an impending eviction. The court issued an eviction order on September 12, 2024, following a protracted legal battle over ownership and unpaid sums, despite ongoing negotiations by the CDC to purchase the property.
The estate, represented by multiple family members, has been engaged in a longstanding legal battle with the CDC. The conflict culminated in a writ of possession in favor of the Bernard family, with Judge Golda Elliot of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court reaffirming the order on March 7, 2024. The writ demanded that if the CDC failed to pay US$54,000 and LRD$13,000 in outstanding sums, its assets and party belongings would be seized and auctioned.
In response, CDC Acting Chairman Janga Augustus Kowo dismissed the eviction order as invalid, arguing that the party had been paying rent to Mr. Dempster and was therefore a lawful tenant. He further revealed that the CDC had filed a “Bill of Information” with the Civil Law Court, seeking a hearing to resolve the matter. Kowo criticized the delays in court proceedings, claiming they violate the party’s constitutional right to due process.
Kowo also pointed out that other legal issues related to the property are still pending before the Supreme Court. The CDC has called on the judiciary, President Joseph Boakai’s administration, and the international community to ensure their concerns are fairly addressed. The party expressed optimism that the courts will ultimately allow them to continue negotiations to purchase the property while maintaining their tenancy.
As the legal standoff continues, the CDC remains committed to upholding the rule of law and is advocating for judicial fairness and transparency in resolving the property dispute. Meanwhile, the estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard is pushing for immediate action to enforce the eviction, emphasizing that justice should not be delayed any longer.
This ongoing conflict highlights the delicate balance between property rights, legal processes, and political maneuvering, with the fate of the CDC’s headquarters hanging in the balance.
