The Supreme Court of Liberia has rejected an attempt to dismiss an appeal filed by the National Elections Commission (NEC) in a US$877,060 dispute with M-Tosh Prints Media Inc., paving the way for the case to be heard on its merits.
In an opinion delivered by Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie, the Court ruled that NEC properly followed the legal procedures required to perfect its appeal after a judgment was entered against the Commission by the Commercial Court.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by M-Tosh Prints Media, which claims it supplied election materials and additional election kits used during the 2019 Montserrado County Senatorial Election and the District #13 by-election but was not fully paid for the services provided.
According to the company, NEC still owes about US$877,060 for materials allegedly delivered and used during the electoral process.
The Supreme Court noted that while the Commercial Court issued its judgment on December 31, 2025, NEC did not receive a copy of the ruling until January 6, 2026. The justices found that the Commission filed its Bill of Exceptions within the period allowed by law and completed all other appeal requirements within the prescribed timeframe.
The Court also upheld the validity of NEC’s appeal bond, ruling that it could be approved by another judge assigned to the court if the trial judge was unavailable.
Based on those findings, the Supreme Court dismissed the motion seeking to throw out the appeal and ordered that the matter proceed to a full hearing.
The ruling, signed by Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. and the Associate Justices, does not address the merits of M-Tosh Prints Media’s claim. Instead, it confirms that NEC’s appeal was properly filed and allows the Court to consider the substantive issues in the case, including whether the Commission is legally responsible for the disputed debt.
