ABC Children’s Aid Liberia, by and through its Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Rev. Matthew Sakeah, has for the fourth time won a landmark case at Criminal Court ‘C’ against ABC Children’s Aid International, represented by and through the Republic of Liberia (complaint and co-complainants), Gudrum Margret Palsdottir, Founder/CEO, ABC Children’s Aid International-Iceland, Runa Sivertsen, Board Chairman-ABC Children’s Aid International-Faroe Island and Hilda Videro (ABC Children’s Aid International-Faroe Island.)
This fourth-time legal victory against the plaintiffs/complaints in the case: misapplication of entrusted property, criminal conspiracy and theft of property obviously draws curtains over the long, dragging legal battle which has left the property of the former in ruins, disfigured and made vulnerable to encroachers.
In its Thursday, August 7, 2025 ruling under the signature of assigned Circuit Judge Joe S. Barkon, the court’s judgment reads: “Our law provides that the defendant who is accused with a crime must be granted speedy trail. To be specific, the 1986 constitution of Liberia states under Article 21 (f) which quote: “every person arrested or detained shall be formally charged and presented before a court of competent jurisdiction within 48 hours, should the court determine the existence of a prime faci case against the accused, it shall issue a formal Writ of Arrest setting up the charge(es) which is provided for a speedy trail. There shall be no preventive detention.’’
“This Court says that from the Article of the constitution just read herein above it is established that the Defendant rights have been violated for a long period of time for not being tried for almost 12 years; so, any attempt by this court to prolong this matter on this docket is tantamount to violation of the human rights of the defendant where he is not tried and found guilty to serve the prescribed punishment consistent with law.’’
“WHEREFORE AND IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, this court says that the prosecution, which is the state, has all of the resources available to it to try any accused person so that that person can enjoy due process before the court of Competent Jurisdiction. So the state in this case is under obligation not to delay cases for a long or indefinite period of time and the defendant’s reputation/right be at stake, thereby causing him emotional stress, inconveniences, embarrassment and cannot be tried. This court hereby orders granting the motion and dismissing the charges against the Defendant without prejudice. AND IT IS HEREBY SO ORDERED.’’
The verdict, regarded as the final straw that has broken the camel’s back, comes at the zenith of legal delays which have persisted for nearly twelve years. Observers believe this final judgment by Criminal Court ‘C’ will eventually settle the dust and legally equip the ABC Children’s Aid Liberia to now begin freely steering the wheel of this property, 72 acres along the Robertfield Highway.
Case Background
It can be recalled that in 2021, ABC Children’s Aid Liberia won three successive landmark legal victories at two lower courts against residents of the Baptist seminary ABC Community. Based on the judgments of the Civil Law Court, which rendered judgment in line with that of the Supreme Court, at least 100 plus illegal occupants who had, over the years, encroached on the property of the ABC Children’s Aid Liberia Ministry were ordered evicted accordingly. Under the signature of the then Civil Law Court Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbisay on May 6, 2021 the court maintains that “Judgments of the Supreme Court of Liberia shall be final and binding and shall not be subject to appeal or review by any other branch of government.” It continues, “Therefore, the court will be in complete error by entertaining the complaint filed by the respondent/ plaintiff.
Given the Supreme Court opinions and principles of law enunciated above, this court holds that it has not the subject matter jurisdiction to render any decision in the instant case; hence, the movant’s motion being sound and legally fit is hereby sustained and the resistance hereto denied.” It emphatically concludes, “Wherefore and in view of the foregoing facts and law cited above, the movant’s motion to dismiss is granted and the respondent’s complaint is hereby dismissed in its entirety, AND IS HEREBY SO ORDERED.
Eviction Order By the Supreme
The Supreme Court of Liberia then ordered the eviction of more than 100 illegal occupants who have constructed about 70 homes on the property of the ABC Children’s Aid Liberia Ministry (appellee) along the Robertsfield Highway. The property is situated on 72.76 acres of land that the ABC Children’s Aid Liberia Ministry purchased between 2005 and 2006 from the administrators of Gbangbar’s Town namely: James Brown, Rev. Payne, and Mr. Plakay Garway.
Encroachment Ensued
It is reported that after the transaction, youth of the town, headed by one Emmanuel Togar and backed by Robert Cooper, Town Chief, began to sell the land illegally. They took the action when a conflict erupted between ABC Children’s Aid Liberia Ministry and its affiliate organization, ABC Children’s Aid International, based in Iceland and Faroe Islands in Europe in 2012. During the contention, ABC Children’s Aid International falsely accused the Founder and Executive Director of ABC Children Aid Liberia Ministry of stealing US$1 million as development fund. While the case was before the criminal court, Togar and his followers chose to sell the property illegally.
Shortly after ABC Children’s Aid International lost the case at the Criminal Court ‘C’ at the Temple of Justice, it was when Reverend Matthew Sakueh, in 2014, filed the civil suit against his land owners, the administrators of Gbangbar’s Town and those who purchased the property. The evidence adduced during the trial was sufficient to support the verdict returned by the trial jury,” the court further ruled, adding, “The trial judge was justified when he affirmed the said verdict.”
The ruling continues, “The judgment of the trial judge is hereby affirmed and the clerk of this court is hereby ordered to send a mandate to the court below ordering the Judge presiding therein to resume jurisdiction over this case and give effect to the judgment of this court.” The lawsuit arose in 2012 when the ABC Children’s Aid-Liberia purchased 72.76 acres of land from the administrators of Gbangbar’s Town.
The payment for said property happened in the presence of members of the town, after which the Administrative letter, Decree of Sale, and the Mother Deed were all given to ABC, Stupidity is easily recognizable; unlike wisdom, which is narrow like a needle or short like a dwarf, stupidity is huge and tall like mountain. Aid-Liberia along with the Administrative Deeds of 52.76 Acres and 20 Acres, making the total 72.76 Acres. The suit continues that after the transaction, youth of the town, headed by one Emmanuel Togar, began to sell the land illegally.