Senator Augustine S. Chea, a prominent member and staunch supporter of the former ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), has publicly criticized his party’s refusal to vacate the Bernard Estate, stating that he had previously advised party leaders to comply peacefully with the court’s eviction order.
In a social media post, Senator Chea ~ who is also a legal practitioner ~ reiterated his earlier private warnings to CDC officials, clarifying the legal implications of ignoring a final court judgment. The controversy centers around a property dispute between the CDC and the estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard, which culminated in a court ruling ordering the CDC’s eviction from the premises.
“I have said it privately before, and I am saying it publicly now, that our party must peacefully vacate the Bernard estate,” Senator Chea wrote.
Citing Liberian statutory and constitutional law, Chea explained that the CDC’s recent legal move ~ filing a new lawsuit seeking specific performance ~ does not override the previous court ruling in favor of the Bernard estate. He emphasized that without a stay of execution granted by the Supreme Court, the eviction remains legally enforceable.
“The filing of a new suit for specific performance by a party who has lost a prior eviction case does not automatically stay eviction,” Chea stated. “That judgment is final and binding unless stayed by the Supreme Court through appeal or motion for stay of execution.”
His remarks appear to be a rebuke of the CDC’s current stance, which has been viewed by some as defiant in the face of judicial authority. While Senator Chea did not mention specific party figures, his message underscores growing internal rifts within the CDC over the handling of legal matters post-presidency.
“This is the law. We are a country of law,” Chea concluded.
The situation has sparked renewed debate over the rule of law and respect for judicial authority in Liberia’s evolving political landscape. As of press time, the CDC has not issued a formal response to Senator
