NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Montserrado County Senator Abraham Darius Dillon has renewed calls for the establishment of a Claims Court of Liberia, urging fellow lawmakers and the public to support legislation aimed at creating a specialized judicial forum to hear legal claims brought against the government.
By: Sampson W Weah sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
Speaking Wednesday on the OK FM Conversation program in Monrovia, Dillon said the proposed legislation is anchored in Article 26 of the 1986 Constitution, which guarantees individuals and associations the right to seek legal redress when their constitutional rights are violated by the state or its agents.
According to the senator, the Constitution explicitly provides that suits against the government should originate in a Claims Court, with appeals going directly to the Supreme Court of Liberia.
However, more than four decades after the Constitution came into force, Liberia has yet to establish such a court.
“This is not a new idea,” Dillon said. “It is a constitutional requirement that has never been implemented. That gap represents a serious weakness in our justice system.”
He explained that while Liberia has criminal courts to prosecute offenses and civil courts to resolve disputes between private parties, there is no dedicated judicial body mandated specifically to hear claims filed by citizens against the state.
The proposed Claims Court, he argued, would fill that gap and provide a lawful avenue for addressing alleged abuses by government institutions and officials.
Dillon said the court would be particularly significant in cases involving property rights, contractual disputes, and the exercise of eminent domain. Under the Constitution, when government acquires private property for public use, it must provide fair compensation and uphold due process.
A Claims Court, he noted, would give aggrieved property owners a clear and structured forum to challenge actions they believe violate those principles.
The senator also linked the proposal to broader governance and land reform challenges. He pointed to persistent land disputes across the country, including instances where multiple individuals claim ownership of the same property.
Such conflicts, he said, are often driven by weak land administration systems, lack of digital mapping, and outdated legal frameworks.
“Stronger institutions and clearer laws are essential if we want to reduce conflict and restore confidence in the system,” Dillon said. “The Claims Court is part of that broader solution.”
He warned that public trust in the judiciary is critical to democratic stability, noting that when citizens feel they lack an effective mechanism to challenge government actions, frustration grows and confidence in the rule of law declines.
“The credibility and independence of the courts must be protected,” Dillon added. “A Claims Court will strengthen accountability and reassure people that the government itself is subject to the law.”
Dillon recalled that previous advocacy efforts by citizens had highlighted the need for such a court, but no administration had taken concrete steps to establish it. He said the current bill seeks to finally give practical effect to the constitutional mandate.
He emphasized that the proposed court would not replace existing judicial bodies but would complement them by handling constitutional claims against the state.
In line with Article 26, decisions from the Claims Court would be appealable directly to the Supreme Court of Liberia, ensuring authoritative constitutional interpretation.
The senator disclosed that the proposal has begun attracting support within the Senate, with several lawmakers expressing interest. However, he stressed that public engagement will be decisive.
“This is a reform that belongs to the people,” Dillon said. “Citizens, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders must make their voices heard if we are serious about justice and accountability.”
The bill is currently before the Liberian Legislature for consideration.
