A day after a chaotic Sunday that marred worship at several breakaway United Methodist Churches, the church has filed a complaint against several pastors before the Monrovia City Magisterial Court.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, March 4, 2025/ The Presiding Magistrate of the Monrovia City Court has issued a writ of arrest ordering the immediate detention of over seven pastors of the United Methodist church in Liberia.
The defendants are ordered arrested to answer to the charges of criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, criminal coercion menacing, and felonious restraint.
However, according to the court, this alleged act violates Section 15 172.16.27, 1435 Asl of the new Penal Law of Liberia.
The Magistrate’s decision is based on a complaint filed by Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr., head of the United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference.
As per the complaint, defendants Rev. Elijah Darjue, Justah Domah, Emmanuel Dwaln, Victoria Perry, Oretha Domah, Ellington Lnogen, Olive Mekay, and others to be identified have been charged with multiple crimes.
“You are hereby commanded to arrest the living bodies of Rev. Elijah Darjue, Justah Domah, Emmanuel Dwaln, Victoria Perry, Oretha Domah. Ellington Lnogen, Olive Mekay and other defendants to be identified, and forthwith bring them before the Monrovia City Court, Temple of Justice County to answer to the charges of criminal trespass, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, criminal coercion menncing and felonious restraint, based upon the oath and complaint of the Republic of Liberia by & thru The United Methodist Church Liberia Annual Conference by and thru its Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Jr” the writ read.
Bishop Quire, Jr., in his complaints to the court, alleged that the named defendants seized the Church from February 23, 2025, to the Present and refused to turn over the leadership to the newly appointed Pastors.
He further indicated that the defendants have also announced their disassociation from the United Methodist Church, which means that they should not be in control of the church’s property.
“You have also destroyed the emblem of the church and removed the United from the painting on the church’s edifice. You have also threatened members and some of the newly appointed officials of the E.D. McGill United Methodist Church and also been disrupting church services, which has created extreme fear amongst the congregation due to your disruptive actions and threats,” he asserted.
The Plaintiff further notifies the Court that the emblem’s damage cost is US$60.00, and the cost associated with repainting the edifice is US$250.00, thereby amounting to US$310.00.
” The alleged actions of the defendants are criminal, intentionally illegal, and unfounded, and the crimes mentioned above, the defendants did and commit. Hence, this writ of arrest for legal redress. contrary to the form force and effect to the statutory laws of Liberia in such cases made and provided against the peace and dignity for this Republic for so doing, this shall constitute your legal and sufficient authority and have this writ” the writ concluded.-Edited by Othello B. Garblah.
