-Against Global Methodist Church In Nimba County
By Shallon S. Gonlor
Sanniquellie, Nimba County: The 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie has dismissed the United Methodist Church’s lawsuit seeking control of mission properties in Ganta City, handing a major victory to the breakaway Global Methodist Church faction. Presiding Judge Pape Suah issued the landmark decision on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, following months of legal proceedings between the two Methodist denominations.
The court’s ruling centered on procedural grounds, with Judge Suah determining that the United Methodist Church had pursued the wrong legal remedy in its attempt to reclaim properties currently occupied by the Global Methodist Church. The judge emphasized that the proper course of action should have been an ejectment lawsuit rather than the summary proceedings filed by the UMC legal team. This distinction proved crucial, as ejectment actions allow for jury consideration of complex property title disputes and allegations of fraud – elements central to this case.
Legal representatives for both churches presented extensive arguments during the proceedings. The United Methodist Church’s case was argued by attorneys Henry N. Brunson and Eliza D.J. Kronyanh, while the Global Methodist Church’s defense was led by Reverends Ebenezer M. Belleh, James Y. Korlorblee, and Jerry N. Kandea. At the heart of the dispute lies control of valuable church properties in Ganta City, including mission buildings, schools, and other institutional assets.
Judge Suah’s ruling came after careful consideration of multiple motions, including a motion to intervene and a motion to dismiss filed by the Global Methodist Church. The court consolidated these motions for hearing, first granting the intervention motion before turning to the dismissal request. In his detailed opinion, the judge noted that the UMC’s own court filings had raised issues of fraud and deception – matters that legally require jury determination rather than summary judgment.
The conflict between the two Methodist factions stems from broader theological divisions within global Methodism, particularly regarding same-sex marriage and LGBTQ+ inclusion policies. The traditionalist Global Methodist Church formed in 2022 as a breakaway movement from the more progressive United Methodist Church, with the Ganta properties becoming a flashpoint in Liberia’s manifestation of this international denominational split.
While the ruling represents a clear victory for the Global Methodist Church in this round of litigation, Judge Suah dismissed the case “without prejudice,” meaning the United Methodist Church retains the right to refile its claim as a proper ejectment action. Legal observers note this leaves the door open for continued legal battles over the disputed properties. The court’s decision also ordered costs to be borne by the United Methodist Church as the losing party in this proceeding.
