Court Orders S.T. Nagbe UMC Reopened
By Godgift Harris
The Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court, has ordered the immediate reopening of the Stephen Trowen Nagbe United Methodist Church (S.T. Nagbe UMC).
The decision is pending the outcome of a declaratory judgment petition filed by the leadership of the congregation or the regular church goers.
The interim order, signed by Assigned Circuit Judge George W. Smith, instructs Bishop Samuel Jerome Quire, Jr., Father Henry Brunsun, and all corporate officers of the UMC, The Liberia Annual Conference (LAC) to revert to the status quo ante allowing the S.T. Nagbe congregation to resume services and meetings at its 13th street edifice in Sinkor.
The decision comes amid a protracted dispute between the S.T. Nagbe congregation and the broader UMC hierarchy over leadership authority, and the interpretation of church doctrine, particularly relating to marriage and governance.
Despite the court ruling, a separate case before the Monrovia City Court stemming from a writ of summons that temporarily closed the church was heard on Monday, August 17, 2025, with ruling reserved for Thursday.
During the arguments, defense counsel Attorney Jeremiah Samuel Dugbo, I, maintained that the temporary closure sought by the petitioners was not the proper legal avenue.
Dugbo argued that if the UMC believes it holds legal title to the church property, it should instead pursue an ejectment action or summary proceedings to recover possession.
He further urged the court to dismiss the “unmeritorious petition,” and allow both parties to continue their legal battle at the Civil Law Court.
Both sides were given ten minutes each to present closing arguments, with legal citations restricted. Petitioners referenced Chapter 25, Section 25.3 of Liberian law, while the defense cited Sections 3.31, 16.1, and 62.1 of the Civil Procedure Law, along with Article 20(a) of the Liberian Constitution.
The interim order remains in force until the Civil Law Court issues a final ruling on the declaratory judgment petition.