A court-ordered eviction at the headquarters of Liberia’s former ruling party, the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), took a dramatic turn early Saturday morning when police arrested three individuals and uncovered a cache of weapons and sensitive documents inside the premises. The eviction, enforced by the Civil Law Court and carried out by court sheriffs with support from the Liberia National Police, targeted the CDC’s compound in Congo Town. The operation, which began before dawn, was initially peaceful but quickly escalated after law enforcement discovered a firearm, live ammunition, petro-bombs, and two diplomatic passports. Among those arrested was a man believed to be a former officer of the Executive Protection Service (EPS). Another suspect reportedly used pepper spray on officers during the confrontation, while a third claimed he had only come to retrieve personal belongings. The diplomatic passports, found in a building linked to Jefferson T. Koijee—former Mayor of Monrovia and CDC Secretary-General—featured his photograph, raising questions about their origin and use. Deputy Police Inspector for Operations, Cllr. Nelson Freeman, confirmed the arrests and stated, “The situation remains fluid, and we are investigating all findings thoroughly. We reserve further comments until the investigation is concluded”. As part of the eviction, several structures were dismantled, including the Munah E. Pelham Youngblood Vocational Centre, the symbolic Sycamore Tree, and administrative buildings associated with the party. An excavator was deployed to carry out the demolition, drawing sharp criticism from CDC officials. CDC National Chairman Atty. Janga Augustus Kowo condemned the operation, calling it politically motivated and unlawful. He warned that the government would be held accountable for any harm to citizens and tagged international bodies including ECOWAS and the African Union in his public statements. The eviction stems from a long-standing legal dispute between the CDC and the estate of the late Martha Stubblefield Bernard. Although CDC filed an appeal and posted a bond, the court ruled that there was no legal barrier preventing the eviction. The incident has sparked widespread public interest and concern, especially in the wake of Liberia’s recent electoral season. Observers from the United Nations and regional organizations are reportedly monitoring the situation closely. This story is still developing, and investigations are ongoing.
