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Lofa County Bar Association Appeals NCSM Ruling, Cites Procedural and Substantive Errors

December 31, 2025

The Lofa County Bar Association has formally announced an appeal against the ruling of the Protest and Grievance Committee (PGC) in the ongoing National County Sports Meet (NCSM) dispute involving Grand Cape Mount County. In a statement released today, the Association said its legal team is seeking to uphold what it described as the “rule of the game” as previously determined by the highest reviewing body of the NCSM, while dismissing allegations from Grand Cape Mount as misleading and propagandistic.

According to the Bar Association, the appeal challenges both the procedure and substance of the PGC’s decision. It argues that the PGC ignored a binding precedent set by the NCSM Appeal Board in the Grand Bassa case, which strictly enforced timelines for filing on-field and written protests. The PGC’s decision to treat a late filing as harmless, the Association said, constitutes a reversible error.

The Association further faulted the PGC for ruling that the transfers of players Francis Doe and Jeremiah Johnson were improperly conducted through the Liberia Football Association (LFA) DTMS and Connect systems, without clearly identifying any violated procedure or sharing the documents relied upon, an alleged breach of due process and the principle of notice. It also criticized the Committee for reaching a technical conclusion without seeking clarification from the LFA, despite the system recognizing the players as duly registered third-division players.

Additionally, the Bar Association condemned the application of Rule 21.1, which pertains to fielding illegal players, arguing that the players were declared illegal without due process and that the ruling could negatively affect Wologizi FC and Howard FC without hearing from their officials.

On the facts, the Association maintained that the players were not transferred but became free agents through mutual contract termination when upper-division transfer windows were closed. As free agents, they were lawfully registered by Howard FC during the open third-division window and duly recognized by the LFA, issued playing cards, and allowed to compete.

The Lofa County Bar Association concluded by questioning how Lofa County could be accused of cheating when the players were officially identified, registered, and cleared to play by the LFA system itself, which the PGC now claims was bypassed.

The Legislative Budget Office (LBO) announces that today’s hearing on the Expenditure Component of the FY2026 Draft National Budget, scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2025, has been suspended until further notice to allow for technical harmonization and wider consultations. The suspension is temporary and does not affect the overall timetable for budget consideration. A new date will be communicated promptly, and the LBO reaffirms its commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive dialogue in the national budget process.