After Accusing Lower Court Judge Of Conflict Of Interest In Ownership Of Church Property Case
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- Who are the big names behind the breakaway Global Methodist Church who have filed Motion for the Judge of the Civil Law Court, George W. Smith to rescind Judgement regarding the rightful owner of the United Methodist Church’s properties, as Garmah Never Lomo reports.
Top former United Methodist Church (UMC) clerics are behind the Global Methodist Church (Liberia) Inc. case against the leadership of the UMC headed by Bishop Samuel Quire, in the wake of the controversy that has erupted over same sex marriage.
The breakaway Global Methodist Church is being represented in the lawsuit by and thur Rev. Dr. Jerry P.Kulah, Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., Rev. Dr. George Wilson, Jr., Rev. Dr. Isaac Chuckpue-Padmore, Rev. Julius Y.Z.K. Williams of the City of Monrovia and Rev. Dr. Jerry P. Kulah, Rev. Dr. J. Sarwolo Nelson, Jr., Rev. Dr. George Wilson, Jr., Rev. Dr. Isaac Chuckpue-Padmore, Rev. Julius Y.Z.K. Williams, Rev. Kenneth C. Jackson, Rev. Leo Mayson, among others.
They are first and second respondents who have filed a motion to rescind his judgment and rescue himself from the said ongoing internal fights between the backaway Methodist and United Methodist Church.
The Global Methodist Church through its legal counsel has accused Judge George W. Smith of being in a conflict of interest demanding that he rescind his judgment and to rescue himself.
In an eight-count motion, the movant in the above-entitled cause of action most respectfully prays Your Honor and this Honorable Court to rescind Your Honor’s ruling on the consolidated to Motion to Summary Judgment and all rulings made by Your Honor in this matter for the following legal and factual reasons as showeth to wit:
According to the motion, there are four things belonging to a judge as outlined by Barnard L. Shienog contained in the Code of Morals and Professional Ethics which includes To hear courteously;To answer wisely; To consider soberly; and to decide impartially.
The motion further that Movants say that the same Code of Morals and Professional Ethics quotes Sir Francis Bacon’s Essential of any true Judge as:Impartiality; Independence; and Immunity. The motion added that Bacon says that “of these, impartiality is the most important; independence and immunity are the means of achieving impartiality.”
Movants say that not only are above quotations contained in the Code of Morals and Professional Ethics, they are also cardinal parts of the Judicial Cannon which
specifically govern the conduct of judges like Respondent herein.
Movants submit that this dispute involves an intra organizational disagreement over the internal
governing rules called the Book of Discipline; which different interpretation has led to a breakup
and a fight over property.
Movants say Your Honor and your entire family are members of Petitioner, United Methodist
Church who worship with the Martha Tubman United Methodist Church on Weaver Avenue in
Paynesville City, Liberia since your youth to present.
That at the Tubman Church, Your Honor have been serving as Chairman of the Legal Committee of the Church since 2022; succeeding Clir. George W. Sagbe, Sr. and your sister, Beatrice Smith-Williams has been the Finance Committee Chairperson since 2021 to present.
Your sister’s husband, Cephas C. Williams also serves as Associate Director of the Department of Education and also hold other key position in the Office of the Bishop and the Liberia Annual Conference.
That the Chairmanship of a local church makes Your Honor a member of the legal team of the Liberia Annual Conference (LAC/UMC), the Petitioner in this dispute and Respondent herein.
Movants submit that with this membership and your leadership role in the Petitioner UMC
especially as a member of its legal team of the Petitioner, Respondent herein, as well as your entrenched family tie to the Petitioner/Respondent, Your Honor was lacking in every judicial quality to hear and determine this matter impartially.
Your Honor was therefore duty-bound to declare conflict of interest and to rescue yourself from the matter. Instead, Your Honor proceeded to hear and determine the dispute in favor of Your Honor’s church organization, Petitioner herein.
Movants say further that in the face of this glaring conflict of interest, Your Honor denied and dismissed Movants’ Motion to Dismiss which informed Your Honor that all the properties listed in the petitioner’s petition have separate disputes pending before their respective courts of competent jurisdiction.
You have improperly and impartially assigned to yourself the authority of a superior judge without any support in law; and to make rulings and decisions that cover and affect properties outside your jurisdiction like the property in Ganta, Nimba County; the property in Weala, Margibi County; the property in Duazon, Margibi County; etc. Movants say this superstition is not only unlawful and unethical but also has the propensity to embarrass your fellow judges in those jurisdictions who are attending to those matters.
Movants say further that Your Honor erroneously granted summary judgment in a matter where the Respondent filed a 40-count Returns with seven exhibits and gave notice to produce video evidence during hearing of the motion.
Movants say that only a conflicted judge can grant such summary judgment in the true sense of this World to deny the video evidence from being displayed in open court.
Movants say also that by attempting to make decision affecting the property in Ganta in which your fellow Judge Pape Suah’s dismissal is pending appeal at the Supreme Court; and the property in Weala which is also pending before the Justice in Chambers on Certiorari, you are improperly attempting to encroach on the jurisdictional authority of the Honorable Supreme Court contrary to
law. Movants say it is the Supreme Court which supervises Your Honor and all circuit, specialized and magisterial courts; not the reverse which you have ascribed here.
Movants say that this Motion will lie to have this Court rescind its judgments and rulings in this matter in the interest of transparent justice.
WHEREFORE AND IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES, MOVANTS pray Your Honor and this Honorable Court to: Rescind all judgments entered and rulings made by Your Honor in this matter and Rescue yourself from ever presiding over this matter and Grant unto Movant any and all that Your Honor may deem just and legal under the circumstances.