Liberia: CDC’s Koijee Vows to Maintain HQ, Accuses UP-Led Gov’t of Weaponizing Courts To Evict Party
Monrovia – In November 2021, the Unity Party (UP), then in opposition, was evicted from its national headquarters in Congo Town. The property owners, long-time affiliates of the UP, sued the party over unpaid rent and sought a court-ordered eviction. Before the court’s ruling, rumors circulated that the UP had already vacated the premises, prompting the party to issue a statement denying the claims.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972) – websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
The UP clarified that it had disagreed with the landlord over rental fees and had requested the court to allow more time for negotiations to find an amicable resolution. According to the party’s statement, both sides initially agreed to reduce the annual rent from US$60,000 to US$30,000, payable monthly. The party also invested about US$30,000 in renovations. However, the property owners later demanded an increase in rent to US$100,000 annually, leaving the UP dismayed. Some UP members accused the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) of orchestrating the eviction.
In a statement, the UP expressed disappointment with the McClain family, longtime business partners, accusing them of politicizing the rent dispute.
“The UP is dismayed and disappointed that the McClains, a family that the UP has done favorable business with for years, have decided to politicize the rent issues by disseminating what was once a private matter between the two parties to the public,” the UP said back then.
The UP assured its partisans, supporters, and the public that this issue would be resolved in accordance with the extension given by the Court for the parties to dialogue on the arrears. Despite assurances from the UP that the issue would be resolved, the court ultimately issued an eviction order.
‘In similar Shoes’
Now, the CDC finds itself in a similar situation, facing eviction from its headquarters. Like the UP before, the CDC is accusing President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of using the courts to oust them from their current location.
The CDC has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Bernard family, owners of the property, since its inception under former President George Weah. The Bernard family are close associates of Weah and the CDC.
Previous Eviction
In 2009, the CDC was evicted from its Congo Town headquarters due to a dispute within the Bernard family. The party temporarily relocated to Weah’s residence on 9th Street but returned to its headquarters in 2010 after the family resolved their internal conflict.
For the past six years under Weah’s leadership, the party enjoyed stability at its headquarters. However, following the change in government earlier this year, a court order for the CDC’s eviction was issued.
In the March term of court, the Sixth Judicial Civil Law Court Annex A ordered the eviction of the CDC after a private Liberian citizen won a lawsuit against the party. The Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling in an ejectment action filed by Ebrima Varney Dempster on behalf of Martha Stubblefield Bernard.
On March 7, 2024, Judge Golda’s Elliot issued a writ ordering the CDC’s eviction from its headquarters. The situation escalated on Friday, September 13, 2024, when the court rendered another decision in favor of Bernard, prompting CDC Secretary General Jefferson Koijee to accuse President Boakai of masterminding the eviction.
Koijee Denies Eviction, Blames Boakai
Koijee took to social media, assuring CDC partisans that the party’s headquarters remains secure and accusing President Boakai of orchestrating their eviction.
“After receiving barrage of calls from in and around the counties and abroad, from partisans and sympathizers and concern Liberians about the party being evicted, we want to assure every partisans home and abroad and concerned citizens as well as our international partners that the CDC cannot and will not be imaginarily evicted by Mr. Boakai’s effortless attempt to erase the CDC,” Koijee said.
He added: “Partisans can go to bed, the CDC will not take a micro inch away from its headquarters under the remaining five years of Mr. Boakai. As Mr. Boakai continues to weaponize the court, it is indeed tantamount to having him evicted from the Presidency.”
After receiving barrage of calls from in and around the counties and abroad, from partisans and sympathizers and concern Liberians about the party being evicted, we want to assure every CDCIAN home and abroad and concerned citizens as well as our international partners that the CDC cannot and will not be imaginarily evicted by Mr. Boakai’s effortless attempt to erase the CDC.
Jefferson Tamba Koijee, Secretary General, Coalition for Democratic Change
Unity Party’s Response
In response to Koijee’s claims, Mo Ali, Managing Director of the Liberia Water and Sewer Corporation (LWSC) and a prominent UP figure, refuted the accusations. Ali reminded Koijee that the UP also faced eviction in 2021 during the Weah administration.
“Hey Mr Koijee, when the court evicted the UP from its Congo Town headquarters in 2021, it was the Weah-led CDC government that evicted us right? Just take this nonsense from on Facebook mehn,” he blasted at Koijee.
CDC Acting Chairman Seeks Court’s Attention
On Thursday, September 12, CDC Acting Chairman Janga Kowo appeared in court to seek redress after filing a bid of information. Kowo argued that the CDC has been a paying tenant and that the property owner’s claim for eviction is unnecessary.
Kowo emphasized the need for the presiding judge to review the CDC’s bid before making any rulings. He urged the court to hear the case properly, warning that ignoring the party’s plea could lead to chaos.
“Anyone who goes to court in Liberia deserves to be heard. If the court refuses to hear the matter, it violates the Constitution,” Kowo said, expressing hope that the judge would consider the party’s appeal.
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