
13/08/2025
𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐬𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐬 for Thursday Morning Aug 14, 2025, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 Bana 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 Scene.
𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 all of comments live on BANA 𝐅𝐌 𝟗8.𝟓/TV
Civil Law Court Orders Police to Evict CDC from Congo Town Headquarters Following Ruling on Property Ownership, But party SG Koijee says the party will resist any evection order by the court.
The Secretary General of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Jefferson Koijee, has issued a firm statement vowing that the opposition party will resist any eviction order issued by the court regarding their headquarters in Congo Town.
Following a recent ruling by the Civil Law Court that ordered the eviction of the CDC from the property, which the court declared to belong to the estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard, Mr. Koijee expressed strong opposition to the court’s decision.
Speaking in an interview on Freedom FM Koijeee described the ruling as unjust and vowed that the party would take all necessary measures to defend its rights to the property.
“In the face of this court order, we want to make it clear that the CDC will not stand by and watch its headquarters be taken away without a fight,” Koijee stated during a press conference.
“We believe in the rule of law, but we also believe in standing up for what is right. We will mobilize our members and supporters to resist any attempt to forcibly remove us from our rightful property.”
The court’s ruling, issued on August 4, 2025, follows the court’s determination that the four-acre property near Bernard’s Beach was occupied illegally by the CDC, which the court said was in violation of verified deeds and boundary markings.
The court also authorized the sheriff, backed by police, to enforce the eviction peacefully.
However, Koijee dismissed the ruling, claiming that the party has legal claims to the property that are yet to be fully addressed through the appropriate channels.
He called on supporters to remain calm but prepared for possible protests or legal action to challenge the eviction.
Criminal Court Subpoenas LRA to Testify in High-Profile Capitol Arson Case Over $6 Million Bond Verification
Criminal Court ‘A’ Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie has issued a subpoena for the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) to testify in the high-profile Capitol arson case involving defendant Thomas Etheridge and five others.
The move follows a request by state prosecutors who asked the court to verify the authenticity of a US$6 million criminal appearance bond filed on behalf of the accused.
The bond, posted by Patrick B. Coleman, was intended to secure their release from the Monrovia Central Prison.
Prosecutors cited Section 13.4 of the Criminal Procedure Law, which mandates the court to confirm that any security offered as bond is both genuine and sufficient.
Specifically, the prosecution wants the LRA to clarify details concerning property valuation documents, including a Real Estate Tax Demand Notice (No. 030398417) and a tax payment receipt (No. 598471). They also expect a response to a prior subpoena duces tecum served on the agency.
Defense lawyers objected to the prosecution's motion, arguing it was outside of standard trial procedure. However, Judge Willie overruled their objection.
Once the LRA has testified, the court is expected to entertain final arguments before ruling on whether the defendants will be released on bond.
U.S. Human Rights Report Exposes Deepening Crises and Persistent Abuses in Liberia’s Democratic Institutions
The 2024 U.S. Department of State’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices has flagged a controversial case involving the suspension of Radio Kakata’s station manager, Jerry Quoi, by former Margibi County Superintendent Victoria Duncan drawing fresh attention to concerns over press freedom in Liberia.
The report, released this week, highlights that while Liberia’s constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the press, these rights are sometimes curbed by government interference, intimidation, or political pressure.
It specifically cited Quoi’s suspension as an example of potential political overreach into media operations.
According to the report, Quoi was suspended in June 2024 by Superintendent Victoria W. Duncan over allegations of financial impropriety ~ a move that sparked backlash from media advocacy groups.
The Association of Liberia Community Radios (ALICOR) swiftly condemned the action, calling it politically motivated and demanding Quoi’s reinstatement.
The organization warned against what it termed “political interference” in community radio operations, asserting that such acts constitute a form of media censorship.
Quoi, who was replaced shortly after his suspension by a female journalist in the county, expressed gratitude following the publication of the U.S. report.
In a brief social media post, he wrote, “God did it for me. I’m grateful for this report that highlights my case in the 2024 U.S. Department of State human rights reports on Liberia.” The report also documented a broader pattern of suppression faced by journalists and media workers in Liberia
It noted instances where public servants were allegedly dismissed or threatened with dismissal for criticizing government officials.
In one such case, nine employees of the Monrovia City Corporation were terminated in August 2024 for allegedly criticizing the government on social media.
The inclusion of Quoi’s suspension in the U.S. human rights report is seen by press freedom advocates as a significant acknowledgment of ongoing threats to journalistic independence in Liberia. It comes at a time when media institutions and civil society groups are pushing for stronger protections and accountability mechanisms to safeguard freedom of the press.