Published: October 16, 2025
MONROVIA — The Monrovia City Court has approved the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) to move forward with its planned groundbreaking ceremony for a new party headquarters in Congo Town on October 18, 2025, despite an ongoing land dispute.
Stipendiary Magistrate Ben L. Barco ruled on Wednesday that the event could proceed after complainant Safee Edwardson, through his legal counsel, requested the court to temporarily withhold a writ of arrest for alleged criminal trespass against CDC officials. The decision followed ongoing negotiations between Edwardson and party representatives over a contested land payment.
Landowner Claims Breach of Agreement
According to court documents, Edwardson had sought the arrest of CDC executives, accusing the party of failing to honor an agreed land payment before moving forward with the ceremony.
Edwardson claimed that the CDC had agreed to buy two parcels of land he owns in the Congo Town area for US$300,000 but later only paid US$5,000, saying it was a preliminary payment to allow the ceremony to take place.
“I was shocked to learn that the CDC was planning a groundbreaking without paying the agreed amount,” Edwardson said. “They only paid US$5,000 and promised to continue discussions later.”
He told the court that CDC officials initially approached him about buying the property, which he had listed for over US$300,000, but negotiations stalled after the partial payment.
Court Intervention and Temporary Relief
Magistrate Barco confirmed that the writ of arrest against CDC officials had been held in abeyance at the complainant’s request. The decision effectively allows the groundbreaking ceremony to move forward while the parties continue discussions toward an amicable resolution.
“The complainant’s lawyer requested that we delay the writ due to ongoing negotiations,” Magistrate Barco said.
The court’s temporary ruling is seen as a compromise aimed at reducing political and legal tensions before the CDC’s high-profile event, which is expected to attract thousands of supporters.
The dispute is likely to go back to court if talks break down after the ceremony. Legal experts say the case highlights the ongoing problem of land ownership disputes in Liberia, where overlapping titles and informal sales often result in lengthy legal battles.
For now, the CDC’s widely publicized “Blue Day” groundbreaking remains scheduled for Saturday, October 18, symbolizing what party officials have called a “new era of renewal and unity.”
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