Supreme Court Issues Stay Order in Legal Dispute Involving CDC and Bernard Estates

The Supreme Court of Liberia has issued a stay order in an ongoing legal dispute involving the Opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) and two estates: the Intestate Estate of Martha Stubblefield Bernard and the Intestate Estate of William Thomas Bernard.

 The order was handed down by Associate Justice Yamic Quiqui Gbeisay, who is presiding in Chambers, temporarily halting all proceedings in the case.

The stay order directs Civil Law Court Judge, Her Honor A. Bonah Elliott, to suspend all actions related to the case until further notice.

A conference has been scheduled for October 18, 2024, to address a petition filed by the CDC, which is seeking a writ of mandamus against Judge Elliott’s previous rulings.

A writ of mandamus is a court order that compels a government official, public agency, or lower court to perform a legal duty. In this case, the CDC, represented by Acting Chairman Janka Kowo, has filed the petition against Judge Elliott, citing grievances over her handling of the estates’ case.

Several notable individuals, including Archibald F. Bernard and CDC official Nathaniel McGill, are named as respondents in the petition

. If the writ of mandamus is granted, it would compel the court to address the CDC’s claims regarding the estates.

The dispute stems from a September ruling by the Civil Law Court, which issued a writ of possession in favor of Martha Stubblefield Bernard, resulting in the eviction of the CDC from a disputed property that had served as the party’s headquarters for nearly 20 years.

The eviction order is tied to a longstanding lease agreement that has been contested by both parties.

Until the scheduled conference next week, all legal proceedings in the matter remain suspended, as ordered by the Supreme Court.

The CDC has vowed to resist the eviction, with Chairman Janka Kowo having appeared in court to seek clarification on the issue.