By E. J. Nathaniel Daygbor
The Chairman of the opposition Congress for Democratic Change (CDC), Atty. Augustus Janga Kowo, has strongly criticized the August 23 demolition of the party’s national headquarters, describing the action as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia, Kowo accused the Liberian government—under the leadership of President Joseph Boakai—of violating key provisions of the 1986 Constitution and the Civil Procedure Law. He cited Article 20(a) and (b) of the Constitution, which guarantee due process and the inviolability of appeals, as well as §51.20 of the Civil Procedure Law, which prohibits enforcement of judgments while appeals are pending.
“Justice shall be done without sale, denial or delay,” Kowo quoted from Article 20(a). “Yet our headquarters was destroyed while our appeal was still before the Supreme Court—the final arbiter of justice in Liberia.”
Kowo expressed concern over the timing of the demolition, which occurred just before the National Elections Commission’s annual inspection of political party headquarters. He suggested the move could be an attempt to undermine the CDC’s legal standing as a registered political party.
“This is like a murder convict being executed before their appeal is heard,” he said. “Our legal victory at the Supreme Court will never reverse the damage already done.”
The CDC chairman further alleged that the judiciary has become compromised, serving as a tool for political retaliation.
He claimed that while several Supreme Court rulings have been ignored by the Boakai administration, the government acted swiftly to enforce a Civil Law Court judgment against the CDC, despite the case being under appeal.
Kowo lamented the destruction of the party’s symbolic “Sycamore Tree,” which he said was maliciously removed during the demolition. He warned that Liberia’s history is marked by breakdowns in law and order when citizens lose faith in the justice system.
“Our democracy is at risk when the justice system is weaponized,” he said. “This incident could have been prevented if the government and judiciary respected the rule of law.”
The CDC described the demolition as “unprovoked and unwarranted,” calling it a politically motivated act disguised as a lawful eviction. Kowo concluded by urging national reflection, warning that disregard for justice has historically led to coups and armed conflict in Liberia.
