Monrovia, Liberia – Judge Kennedy Peabody of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court, has issued a second eviction order to remove unauthorized occupants from the Intestate Estate of the late William Lucas in the Po River area of Brewerville, District #17, Montserrado County.
The enforcement, which took place over the weekend, was carried out by court sheriffs with support from the Liberia National Police. The action follows a consensus judgment endorsed by the Supreme Court on August 6, 2021, marking a major step forward in a longstanding land ownership dispute.
Despite the court’s clear ruling, the eviction met resistance from individuals claiming to be descendants of the late Ma Konah Jebo, asserting inheritance rights to the contested property. Reports indicate that some occupants became aggressive, throwing stones at law enforcement and court officers in an attempt to obstruct the process.
Residents argue that their claim to the land stems from lawful inheritance through the Jebo family. However, the court conclusively upheld the Lucas Estate’s ownership rights, rejecting the Jebo Estate’s claim to the 120-acre parcel.
According to court documentation, the land is described as: “Commencing at the northwest angle of Lot No. 1, thence running North 10 degrees West 30 chains; thence running North 80 degrees East 40 chains; thence South 10 degrees East 30 chains; thence South 80 degrees West 40 chains to the place of commencement, containing One Hundred and Twenty (120) acres of land, more or less.”
The case was presided over by Assigned Circuit Judge George W. Smith, who issued the Writ of Repossession, granting the Lucas Estate full and unrestricted ownership of the land.
The decision was agreed upon by legal representatives of both parties and validated by Associate Justice Joseph N. Nagbe of the Supreme Court.
Legal professionals have hailed the judgment as a pivotal moment in Liberian estate law, particularly in matters involving intestate succession and overlapping property claims.
“This ruling is significant,” said one legal analyst who asked to remain unnamed. “However, enforcement should be approached with care to avoid further tension, especially in communities like Brewerville.”
Madam Joanna Sambolia, the administrator of the Lucas Estate, has expressed openness to potential repurchase negotiations with some of the current occupants. Nonetheless, many displaced individuals insist they acquired the land through legitimate means and are hesitant to leave.
The Montserrado County Sheriff has been instructed to report on the writ’s execution to Clerk of Court Mr. Victor G. Gailor during the Court’s December Term.
At the time of publication, the Jebo Estate’s representatives had not issued an official statement, though sources indicate that a judicial review or appeal may be under consideration.
With the court’s mandate now implemented, the Lucas Estate is set to take full possession of the land, bringing an end to a bitter legal battle and highlighting broader issues of land rights, inheritance disputes, and property governance in Liberia.
