His Honor Judge George W. Smith, Presiding Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court, has ruled in favor of the United Methodist Church (UMC) Liberia Annual Conference in a landmark property dispute against the Global Methodist Church (Liberia) Inc. and its senior leaders.
The judgment, handed down on August 18, 2025, resolves a highly publicized legal battle over the ownership and control of numerous UMC properties across Liberia, including churches, universities, schools, and healthcare institutions.
Court Affirms UMC Liberia’s Exclusive Property Rights
In his ruling, Judge Smith declared that the Respondents, comprising the Global Methodist Church (Liberia) Inc. and prominent figures such as Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., and others, have no legal or equitable claim to any property belonging to the UMC Liberia Annual Conference.
The court further affirmed that by formally withdrawing from the UMC, the Respondents forfeited all rights, interest, and beneficial ownership in the church’s assets.
“They have no right to occupy, possess, or transfer said properties,” the court emphasized, adding that any removal of signs or symbols identifying the properties as UMC is strictly prohibited.
Respondents’ Motions Dismissed
All legal motions filed by the Respondents, including a motion to rescind and a motion for summary judgment, were denied and dismissed by the court. In contrast, the UMC Liberia Annual Conference’s motion for summary judgment was sustained and granted, reinforcing the church’s exclusive claim to the disputed properties.
During the consolidated hearing on August 13, 2025, counsel for the Respondents conceded that their motion to strike had become moot, allowing the court to focus solely on the motions to rescind and for summary judgment.
Background to the Case
The dispute originated from a denominational split within the Methodist Church in Liberia. A faction led by Rev. Dr. Kulah and others broke away to form the Global Methodist Church (Liberia) Inc., citing theological and administrative differences. This separation led to competing claims over the ownership of UMC’s longstanding properties and institutions.
The UMC Liberia Annual Conference, through its Board of Trustees, led by Chairperson Fth. Henry Brunson, Directress Mth. Eliza Kronyah, and Resident Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire Jr., filed a petition seeking legal protection and a declaratory judgment.
The ruling is expected to have far-reaching implications for Methodist communities throughout Liberia.
With the court’s firm ruling, the UMC Liberia Annual Conference is now legally empowered to reclaim and manage its properties.
Enforcement measures, including potential eviction orders or property recovery actions, may soon follow if voluntary compliance is not observed.
The court concluded its ruling with a definitive statement:
“AND IT IS HEREBY SO ORDERED.”
This decision not only reinforces the UMC Liberia Annual Conference’s legal standing but also serves as a clear directive against unauthorized occupation or use of its properties moving forward.
