By Precious D. Freeman
The Supreme Court has rejected a petition for a Writ of Prohibition filed by the United Methodist Church (UMC) Annual Conference against L. Olandor Boyce, the Lay Leader of the St. Paul River District, clearing the way for the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Bong County to continue hearing the case.
The decision, made by Associate Justice Ceaineh D. Clinton-Johnson and communicated through the Office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court on March 28, 2025, denied the UMC’s request to stop the proceedings initiated by Judge J. Boima Kontoe, who had earlier placed an injunction on the UMC Annual Conference.
Justice Clinton-Johnson directed Judge Kontoe to resume jurisdiction and proceed “in keeping with the law,” effectively allowing the case filed by Boyce to move forward.
The legal dispute stems from a February 14 injunction issued by Judge Kontoe after Boyce, who was suspended from his role as district lay leader, filed for a declaratory judgment challenging the legality of his suspension and exclusion from the church’s annual conference.
In response, the UMC’s leadership — including Resident Bishop Samuel J. Quire, Administrative Assistant Rev. JI Joel Gould, and Conference Lay Leader Tolbert Nyenswah — appealed to the Supreme Court to halt the proceedings in Bong County.
The church leaders argued that Judge Kontoe had overstepped his jurisdiction.
Boyce, however, has alleged that his suspension was motivated by his opposition to what he describes as the church’s increasing tolerance for the promotion of same-sex relationships, a stance he believes contradicts UMC doctrine and Liberian values.
The Supreme Court’s ruling now allows the 9th Judicial Circuit Court to determine the legality of Boyce’s suspension and whether his rights as a lay leader were violated.
This case marks a significant moment in the internal politics of the United Methodist Church in Liberia, as it grapples with both governance issues and ideological divisions over doctrinal interpretations.
Supreme Court Denies UMC Petition
