Published: November 7, 2025
SANNIQUILLIE, Nimba County – The 8th Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, has overturned its October 27 ruling that held liable Wilson Bayly-Holmes-OVCON-Swedish Crown (WBHO-SC), a contracted company by Arcelor Mittal, accused of being responsible for the death of Prince Gbeangan in Ganta on August 11, 2024.
The court’s latest ruling came exactly one week after issuing a guilty verdict against WBHO-SC and ordering the company to pay $2 million to the family of the victim, Prince Gbeangan, who was reportedly wrongfully killed in an accident involving one of the company’s vehicles in Ganta in August 2024.
However, the company, through its legal team, petitioned the court on the grounds that the previous judgment and ruling were entered under circumstances that warranted judicial reconsideration in accordance with the law. The court accepted the petition and rescheduled a new hearing for the case.
The court’s October 30 ruling by Resident Circuit Court Judge Pape S. Suah later granted WBHO-SC’s Motion for Relief from Judgment, effectively vacating its October 23 ruling.
According to the court’s latest ruling, its October 23 ruling against the 2nd defendant [WBHO-SC] was not granted “due process” when the October 23 judgement was entered in the absence of the company’s legal representation or any staff member, noting that the Sheriff’s returns did not adequately prove that the company was served a writ from the court nor rejected it.
Judge Suah in his October 30 ruling also stated that the court was “misinformed by the plaintiff and its legal counsel”, leading to the court’s October 23 $2 million ruling against the company, thus the previous $2 million ruling is set aside and paving way for a new trial where all parties would be represented.
According to the court, the new ruling was based on the fact that the legal team representing the victim’s family deceived the court through “misrepresentation of facts, misconduct, and newly discovered evidence” in the matter.
The court’s October 30, 2025 ruling states: “wherefore and in view of the foregoing facts and circumstances as well as the legal citation above, it is the holding of this Court that the Movant’s motion for relief from judgement is hereby granted and the final default ruling of this court holding 2nd defendant liable is hereby set aside for misrepresentation of facts, misconduct, and newly discovered evidence as provided for in chapter 41, sub-chapter 41.7 paragraph ‘b and c’ of the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia perpetrated by the plaintiff as stated herein above and that 2nd defendant now Movant is hereby relieved from court’s final default judgement dated October 23, 2025 and this case is hereby is hereby reopened for a new trial so as to afford the parties the opportunity to be heard and represent their side of the case to this Court from which final determination shall be made after hearing from both sides and the evidence thereto. And this is hereby ordered.”
This means that the court’s new decision has completely reversed its earlier judgment and clears the company of all wrongdoing.
Background of the Case
The Intestate Estate of the late Prince Gbeangan by and through its Administratrix, Mrs. Joretha Kehzie Quoi, in August 2024 filed a lawsuit against Ayres Dahn, a motorbike Rider who reportedly hit their relative and the management of WBHO-SC by and through its Executive Director and all Officers, employees and agents for the unlawful death of their relative in a motor accident that occurred in Ganta on August 11, 2024.
The victim’s family, in their lawsuit filed in court, accused WBHO-SC of causing their relative’s death in a car accident when a pickup truck owned by the company dragged and killed him as he was trying to cross from one side of the road to the other.
The family argued that their relative’s death was caused by the accident, which resulted from the company’s negligence, and they requested financial compensation for their loss. However, the company has ignored their plight since last year, leading them to seek redress through the court.
The ruling last week favoured the victim’s family and the court ordered the company to pay a whopping $2 million USD to the family in damages.
In an October 27 ruling, the court ordered WBHO-SC to pay to the victim’s family the sum of US$1.5 million in General Damages, L$195,000.00 in Special Damages, and US$500,000 in Consequential Damages.
But a week later, the court revisited its ruling after WBHO-SC filed a 16-count motion seeking judicial reconsideration, arguing that the court’s previous judgment was entered without proper notice. The company also argued that the case had long been settled prior to the trial between it and the victim’s family.
A week later, the court reconsidered its decision after finding inconsistencies in the evidence and testimony provided by the family and vacated its October 27 ruling, thereby releasing the company from the $2 million USD liability to the family.
Circuit Court Finds Plaintiff Deception
In its October 30 ruling, the 8th Judicial Circuit court noted that the plaintiff deceived the court with evidence and explanations that do not reflect the facts surrounding the case.
Wherefore, in view of the facts, circumstances, and legal citations stated above, it is the holding of this Court that Movant’s Motion for relief from judgment is hereby granted, and the final default ruling of this Court holding the 2nd defendant liable is hereby set aside for misrepresentation of facts, misconduct, and newly discovered evidence as provided for in Chapter 41, subchapter 41.7, paragraphs “b and c’ of the Civil Procedure Law of Liberia, perpetrated by the plaintiff as stated above. The 2nd defendant, now Movant, is hereby relieved from the court’s final default judgment dated October 23, 2025, the court stated in its ruling.
Upon reviewing the materials and witness statements, the court concluded that the earlier decision had been based on misinformation.
Company Cleared of Wrongdoing
Following the reversal, the company has been officially declared not guilty of the allegations. The new judgment effectively nullifies the previous $2 million award and ends the family’s wrongful death claim – at least for now.
Michael J. Teekay, the Co-CEO of WBHO-SC, speaking at a press conference following the court ruling, welcomed the decision and noted that the ruling reflects the court’s “recognition of the defendant’s right to due process and a fair hearing as well as established judicial principles governing relief from judgment in civil proceedings.”
WBHO-SC, according to Mr. Teekay, appreciates the court’s ruling and pledged to continue to adhere to the laws of the Republic of Liberia.
“The company remains committed to upholding legal and ethical business practices in all its operations and maintaining transparency in its engagement with the public and all stakeholders”, Co-CEO Teekay stated in a press conference held in Ganta over the weekend.
He clarified that any report, publication or news story previously circulated regarding the $2 million judgement no longer represents the current legal status of the case, as that judgement has been aside by the court pursuant to the defendant’s Motion for relief from Judgement.
Scanty report gathered by this paper has it that the family of the victim is contemplating taking an appeal before the Judicial Review Committee for possible redress as they are unsatisfied with the Circuit Court’s latest ruling.
But for now, the company walks away vindicated, while the plaintiff may face possible scrutiny for misleading and misinforming the court.
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