Orders Entire Case Restarted
PHOTO: (L-R) Presiding Judge Peter Gbeneweleh and Nohad M. Hage, co-owner at the center of the property dispute
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia – In a dramatic legal turnaround, the Civil Law Court Annex Judge Peter Gbeneweleh has overturned a unanimous jury verdict against Nohad M. Hage, ruling that the decision was unsupported by evidence and ordering the entire case to be retried.
Presiding Judge Gbeneweleh delivered the landmark ruling on November 27, 2025, declaring that the Objectors — Oumou Sirleaf Hage, Bashir Millard Hage, and Racquel Milad Hage — failed to provide the clear and convincing evidence required to prove their allegations that Nohad Hage committed fraud involving three disputed properties.
Judge Gbeneweleh said the jury’s verdict was “contrary to the weight of the evidence” and should never have stood.
“Mere allegations are not proof,” he said, stressing that accusations of fraud must be supported by solid, compelling evidence which the Objectors failed to produce.
Objectors’ Case Collapses as Court Lists Major Evidentiary Failures
The court outlined 11 specific failures by the Objectors failures so significant that, by law, they count as admissions:
They could not prove the authenticity of the Arkio deed used in a prior case.
“They failed to rebut claims that Oumou, not the late Millard R. Hage, took loans from IB Bank and LBDI Bank using disputed deeds.
They did not challenge evidence that the surveyor’s signature and stamp were missing from the Arkio deed.”
He further said the Objectors’ did not offered no proof contradicting claims that Oumou used deeds in Nohad’s name as collateral without permission. They did not dispute allegations that Nohad’s signature was forged on a lease agreement” He stated.
They failed to counter evidence that two of Nohad’s lots were sold without her knowledge of Bernice Blama, who later transferred them to Liberty Christian Church.
“They could not explain why Ecobank produced a deed listing Nohad as co-owner. They did not rebut testimony from Beatrice Dossen, who said she cannot read or write and never signed the Objectors’ deeds”.
The judge further noted that the Objectors provided no evidence that they had legal authority or guardianship over Nohad’s deeds when they used them for mortgages and leases.
Respondent Presented Stronger Evidence, Judge Says
According to the ruling, Nohad Hage established a solid prima facie case, testifying that her late father, Millard R. Hage, purchased and held deeds on her behalf. Her account, the court said, remained unrebutted and was supported by documentary evidence.
The judge rejected arguments that Nohad benefitted from a bank loan involving deeds bearing her name, stressing that the Objectors proved no involvement, consent, or knowledge on her part.
Legal Grounds for Overturning the Verdict
Citing Section 26.4 of the Liberian Civil Procedure Law, Judge Gbeneweleh reminded the parties that courts have the authority to set aside jury verdicts when they conflict with the evidence or when justice demands it.
“The verdict returned by the empaneled jury on November 13, 2025, is hereby set aside, and a new trial is ordered,” the ruling states.
Supreme Court Mandate Still in Force
The case remains rooted in a September 5, 2022 mandate from the Supreme Court, which instructed the Special Probate Court to forward the land-fraud dispute to the Civil Law Court for full judicial determination.
The properties at the center of the conflict include:
1. A lot purchased from John B. Akoi
2. A lot purchased from John J. Dossen
3. A lot purchased from Mai B. Roberts
With the jury verdict now nullified, the matter is headed back to court for a fresh trial, reopening one of the most contentious property battles within the Hage family.