The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) has announced its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court of Liberia in a dispute over its national headquarters. The party’s legal troubles began when the landlord of the property, the Intestate Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard, attempted to evict the CDC despite a previous agreement to sell the property to the party.
The dispute between the Intestate Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard and the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) revolves around a property in Monrovia that has served as the party’s headquarters for nearly 20 years. The Supreme Court of Liberia has upheld a 2016 judgment ordering the CDC to vacate the property, which covers 4.23 acres of land. The court’s decision, delivered on May 28, 2025, dismissed the CDC’s Bill of Information, stating that the party’s attempt to delay eviction was “preposterous” and “impermissible”. The court also imposed a fine of $500 on the CDC’s lawyers for abusing court processes.
The CDC had argued that it had entered into a contract with the estate to purchase the land and had paid $360,000 in rental arrears, which the court considered evidence of a landlord-tenant relationship. Despite this, the court ruled that the CDC’s occupancy was unlawful and ordered the party to vacate the premises. The Civil Law Court has since issued a writ of possession, authorizing the sheriff to evict the CDC and put the plaintiff in possession of the property.
In a press conference today, Atty Janga Augustus Kowo, the Chairman of the CDC, stated that the party was given a Right of First Refusal, which they accepted. However, he claims the landlord acted in bad faith by issuing a one-week eviction notice. In response, the party filed a suit for Specific Performance to enforce the sale contract, but unfortunately, the Civil Law Court dismissed the case without even considering its merits.
Chairman Kowo mentioned that the CDC has since submitted a Bill of Exceptions and is in the process of finalizing their appeals. They are also working on a smooth transition to a new national headquarters and are urging their supporters to stay calm and patient during this time. This situation has heightened serious concerns about judicial impartiality and possible bias against the CDC, especially after Presiding Judge George W. Smith directed the Liberian National Police to step in regarding the property dispute instead of the Court Sheriff. “While the CDC remains steadfast in its respect for the rule of Law, it condemns arbitrary judicial actions that jeopardize fairness. As the party works toward a lawful resolution of this matter, it urges all partisans to remain calm and patient,” Chairman Kowo stressed.
Atty Kowo emphasized that the CDC is dedicated to upholding the Rule of Law and is seeking a lawful resolution to this issue. The outcome of the appeal will be crucial in determining the future of the party’s national headquarters and its ability to function within the country.