The Civil Law Court Annex ‘A’, under the gavel of Judge George Smith, has issued an order for the immediate eviction of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) from its national headquarters, which sits on 4.23 acres of land owned by the Barnards family estate.
The decision, handed down on Monday, August 4, followed the court’s determination that credible evidence supports a valid sale and purchase agreement involving the property between the CDC and the Barnards estate administrators.
Judge Smith’s ruling came in response to a motion for summary judgment filed by legal counsel for the Barnards family, seeking to enforce the removal of the CDC from the disputed property.
In addition, the judge reaffirmed a 2016 Supreme Court ruling that awarded legal ownership of the land to the Barnards estate, represented by Administrator Ebrima Varney Dempster.
CDC’s Attempt to Force Sale Rejected
Just days earlier, on Friday, Judge Smith denied a request by the CDC to compel the Barnards estate to sell the property to the party.
That request formed part of the CDC’s legal strategy to retain control over the land.
In the wake of the court’s decision, CDC attorneys have announced an appeal to the Supreme Court, specifically through Justice in Chambers Cieana Clinton-Johnson, seeking a review and further legal action.
Legal Basis for Summary Judgment
According to Rule 56 of Liberia’s Civil Procedure Law, a summary judgment can be granted when there are no significant factual disputes, and the legal outcome clearly favors one side.
This allows the court to render a decision without the need for a full trial.
Unless the Supreme Court intervenes with a stay order, the CDC must vacate the premises immediately.
This story is developing.
