14/08/2025
CONGRESS FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE (CDC)
Office of the National Chairman
National Headquarters
Opposite LoneStar Cell, Congo Town
Republic of Liberia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 14, 2025
CDC PRESS RELEASE ON LEGAL STATUS ITS NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
The Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) reiterates its unwavering commitment to the Rule of Law. This is a principle that it upholds critically as a former ruling party and a key stakeholder in Liberia’s collective well-being.
Over the past year, the CDC has engaged in negotiations with the owners of the property housing its national headquarters - a location it has occupied and invested in for more than two decades - to secure its purchase. These discussions culminated in a Right of First Refusal offer extended to the CDC in 2024, which the party accepted.
However, when the CDC sought to conduct standard due diligence inquiries regarding the property, the landlord reacted with hostility, abruptly initiating an illegal eviction attempt through the Civil Law Court in 2024. The CDC challenged this action by filing a Bill of Information with the Supreme Court of Liberia, which in May 2025 ruled in favor of the CDC, affirming its legal tenancy under the Intestate Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard, represented by Mr. Ebrima Varney Dempster.
Following this ruling, the CDC formally notified the Estate of its readiness to exercise its Right of First Refusal, as previously offered and accepted. Instead of proceeding with the lawful sale, however, the Estate acted in bad faith, issuing a one-week eviction notice on June 2, 2025, demanding the CDC vacate its 20-year national headquarters. This action violated the binding agreement of offer and acceptance between both parties.
In response, the CDC filed a suit for Specific Performance at the Civil Law Court, seeking judicial enforcement of the sale contract. Shockingly, Presiding Judge George W. Smith dismissed the case without hearing its merits. Further violating Section 11.2.1(d) of Liberia’s Civil Procedure Law, the same court entertained a summary proceeding for property recovery while the CDC’s pending case remained unresolved.
The CDC’s Motion to Dismiss (on grounds of pendency) and subsequent Writ of Certiorari (filed with Chamber Justice Cianeh Clinton Johnson) were both denied. These serial denials - without due consideration of legal merits - constitute an abuse of judicial discretion, undermining the Rule of Law and threatening Liberia’s democratic stability.
The CDC has since announced appeals to the Honourable Supreme Court of Liberia in both the Specific Performance and Summary Proceedings cases. The Bills of Exceptions have been duly prepared and approved by Judge Smith, and the CDC’s legal team is finalizing the appeals process.
Additionally, the CDC notes a deeply troubling directive in Judge Smith’s ruling: the unprecedented order mandating Liberian National Police intervention - rather than the Court Sheriff - in what should be a civil property matter. This departure from standard procedure raises serious concerns about judicial impartiality and potential prejudice against the CDC.
While the CDC remains steadfast in its respect for the rule of Law, it condemns arbitrary judicial actions that jeopardize fairness. As the party works toward a lawful resolution of this matter, it urges all partisans to remain calm and patient**.
In preparation for all contingencies, the CDC is also making arrangements for an orderly transition to a new national headquarters.
Signed: __________________________________
Atty. Janga A. Kowo
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN
Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)
Keep following Teeria Online Television
