MONROVIA – The Sixth Judicial Circuit Civil Law Court of Liberia has ordered the compulsory transfer of a prime Sinkor property formerly used by the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) to Liberian businessman Dr. C. Nelson Oniyama, ending a protracted legal battle over the land’s ownership.
By Victoria G Wesseh
In a final ruling issued Monday, June 8, Assigned Circuit Judge Nelson B. Chineh directed the Intestate Estate of the late Martha Stubberfield Bernard along with its administrator Ebrima Dempster to convey ten lots of land located along Tubman Boulevard to Dr. Oniyama.
The property sits directly opposite the Cuttington Graduate School in Sinkor and was previously a facility associated with the former ruling CDC party.
The decision stems from a petition for specific performance filed by Dr. Oniyama. He argued that he had met all obligations under a purchase agreement for the property but was not given title by the Bernard Estate.
According to the court’s findings, evidence showed that Dr. Oniyama paid US$132,000 for the land. Judge Chineh ruled that two separate Memoranda of Understanding executed between the parties formed a “valid and legally enforceable contract’’.
The court held that the estate’s failure to transfer ownership after receiving full payment constituted a breach of the agreement, warranting judicial intervention.
Judge Chineh, therefore, ordered the estate and its administrator to “immediately execute all necessary legal documents” to transfer ownership of the ten lots to Dr. Oniyama in line with the terms agreed upon. The property occupies a strategic location on Tubman Boulevard in Monrovia’s Sinkor district. Given its size and visibility, it is considered one of the more notable real estate assets in the area.
For years it served as a facility linked to the CDC, which governed Liberia from 2018 to 2024.
Monday’s ruling brings closure to a longstanding dispute over the land.
Legal observers note that the decision reinforces the judiciary’s authority to compel specific performance when parties fail to honor binding contractual obligations.
Representatives for the Intestate Estate of Martha Stubberfield Bernard has announced an appeal before the Supreme Court.
