The presiding Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court Annex ‘B’ Peter W. Gbeneweleh has overturned a recent unanimous jury verdict and ordered a new trial in the prolonged and contentious battle over the intestate estate of the late Milad Hage.
Judge Gbeneweleh ruled on November 27, 2025, concluding that the evidence presented at trial did not justify the jury’s unanimous finding that Nohad M. Hage committed fraud.
In his ruling, Judge Gbeneweleh determined that the Objectors, led by Oumou Hage Sirleaf-did not meet the required standard of “clear and convincing” evidence to prove that Nohad falsified deeds related to the Hage family’s properties.
The Civil Law Court judge pointed out that Oumou and her co-objectors failed to disprove Nohad’s claim that she never authorized Oumou or Tony Hage to act on her behalf in matters involving the properties, including the prohibition action against Bassam Jahwara.
He further stated that the Objectors did not counter Nohad’s assertion that a deed bearing her name was used as collateral without her permission, even though she was legally capable of making her own decisions at the time.
The ruling among other things noted that Nohad also submitted evidence that her deed from Mai B. Robert was issued and registered in 1995,
two years before the disputed property was purchased and probated in 1997-casting doubt on the allegations against her.
“The evidence presented to prove that the Respondent committed fraud is not clear and convincing and…is not sufficient,” Judge Gbeneweleh wrote, adding that a unanimous guilty finding could not stand in light of the overall evidence.
Judge Gbeneweleh relied on Chapter 26, Section 26.4 of Liberia’s Civil Procedure Law, which allows a court to annul a jury verdict and grant a new trial when the decision contradicts the evidence or when justice requires further review. While juries determine the facts, he emphasized, courts must intervene when their conclusions lack factual support.
Consequently, he ruled: “The Motion for a New Trial is hereby granted, the verdict of the jury is hereby set aside, and a new trial is hereby awarded.”
Background of the Dispute
The disagreement stems from claims that Nohad Hage Mensah forged deeds belonging to her father’s estate.
Earlier in November, a jury unanimously concluded that she falsified property documents without the knowledge of her siblings and stepmother.
Following the verdict, Nohad’s legal team moved for a new trial, arguing that the jury’s decision clashed with the weight of the evidence.
They insisted that Nohad’s deeds were issued before those of her stepmother and siblings and that testimony from a surveyor supported their authenticity.
The defense further argued that statements regarding loans and collateral were distorted, asserting that Oumou-rather than the late Milad Hage-secured the loan from Ecobank and submitted her own deeds.
Oumou’s Lawyers Challenge Court’s Authority
In response, lawyers for Oumou Hage Sirleaf argued that the request for a new trial was “procedurally defective, jurisdictionally void, and substantively baseless.”
They maintained that the Civil Law Court is not empowered to retry matters originating from the Probate Court except on narrow questions of title.
They also argued that Supreme Court directives from 2014 and 2022 require the jury’s fact-finding to be forwarded to the Probate Court rather than revisited.
The Objectors accused Nohad’s team of attempting to undermine the jury’s authority and sidestep the Supreme Court’s instructions.
With the jury’s verdict now void, the case will return to trial.
Judge Gbeneweleh said the decision was necessary in the interest of justice due to significant discrepancies in the evidence presented.
The high-profile inheritance dispute, marked by legal complexities and family divisions, remains one of Liberia’s most closely watched property cases.
