Monrovia-Friday August 15 ruling from the Supreme Court docket, has settled a long-running authorized battle over the possession of the 4.23 acres of land housing the headquarters of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), declaring that the property belongs to the late Martha Stubblefield Bernard, and paving the way in which for the property’s demand that the CDC pay US$4.2 million money if it desires to stay on the premises.
By Willie N. Tokpah
The excessive court docket’s resolution, delivered by Affiliate Justice Jamesetta Howard-Wolokollie, dismissed the CDC’s argument that it retained a contractual proper to buy the property beneath the value and situations it had beforehand negotiated earlier than an inner dispute arose amongst members of the Bernard household.
In its ruling, the court docket discovered that whereas Archibald Bernard’s mom held rights to sure different properties, the correct to buy the CDC headquarters land rested along with his widow on the time of dying, Martha Stubblefield Bernard, who later accomplished the acquisition.
The decision successfully positioned the property beneath the management of the Intestate Property of Mrs. Bernard, represented by its Administrator, Ebrima Varney Dempster.
Earlier than the judgment, the property’s authorized representatives, J. Johnny Momoh & Associates wrote to CDC Appearing Nationwide Chairman Janga Kowo on August 8, 2024, formally stating the acquisition value and situations.
The letter confirmed that the property was granting the CDC first proper of refusal in recognition of its present occupation of the property however confused that the asking value is US$4.2 million, payable in money.
The agency additionally disclosed that there are two different patrons, each church establishments, one among which already has a signed settlement to amass the land for US$2.5 million ought to the CDC decline the provide.
Crucially, the authorized workforce requested that the CDC vacate the premises whereas negotiations are ongoing, citing the Supreme Court docket’s ruling that permits for the social gathering’s eviction if the sale isn’t concluded.
“Time is of the essence,” the letter warned, urging the CDC to reply directly.
The possession row dates again a number of years, stemming from disagreements throughout the Bernard household over who had the authorized proper to the property following the dying of Archibald Bernard’s father.
The CDC, which had initially entered negotiations to buy the land, turned entangled within the Bernard household’s authorized dispute, claiming it had the correct to finalise the acquisition beneath the unique phrases.
A decrease court docket dismissed the CDC’s declare, prompting the social gathering to enchantment to the Supreme Court docket.
With the Supreme Court docket’s verdict now standing, the property has full authority to promote the land, with the CDC given precedence however beneath the brand new value and phrases.
At a press convention on Thursday, August 14, CDC Appearing Chairman Janga Kowo described the decrease court docket’s resolution as “a disappointing blow” however emphasised that the social gathering would fastidiously overview its choices.
Kowo affirmed the CDC’s want to retain its headquarters however admitted that the US$4.2 million money requirement “poses vital monetary challenges.”
“We is not going to be pushed out of our headquarters with out exhausting each lawful treatment,” Kowo mentioned, urging social gathering members and supporters to stay calm and keep away from hypothesis as management considers the subsequent steps.
