—–As President Boakai Encourages Liberian Diaspora Return to Contribute to Nation Building
Just three months after becoming Liberia’s Chief Justice, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay is caught up in a big controversy involving some Chinese nationals and a Liberian businesswoman who now own the Colony Hotel (formerly Palm Springs Hotel).
The property’s lease with Palm Springs ended in March 2020. Then in September 2020, the new owners, Colony Incorporated (a Liberian group), leased it directly from the property owners. Colony Inc’s owner is a Liberian who returned home and, along with her uncle, invested in the property, which had grown dilapidated over the years.
Without notifying Colony Hotel, the Debt Court served closure papers on the property in July 2024, claiming it was attached to a debt case involving Palm Springs Hotel. Colony Inc. immediately filed a Bill of Information—basically a legal notice—to prove they were not part of the Palm Springs and not liable for its debts. But despite filing this in July 2024, their case wasn’t assigned to a judge for almost a year, leaving the hotel in legal limbo.
In June 2025, Colony Inc filed a Writ of Mandamus to the Supreme Court. Associate Justice Clinton-Johnson heard the case and ordered that Colony’s Bill of Information be heard and that Judge Jones rule according to the law.
After hearing the case and reviewing the documents, including the legal dissolution of the Palm Spring lease six months before Colony Inc. acquired the property, Judge James E. Jones ruled that Colony Hotel is a separate business who did not acquire Palm Spring’s assets and should not be responsible for those debts. He ordered the hotel to operate unencumbered and told the court and sheriff to stop any enforcement actions against Colony Hotel related to those debts.
The dispute centers on a $1.3 million debt judgment award to a plaintiff referred to as “Chinese Lady Nancy” in the court documents and who was linked to Palm Springs but is not connected to Colony Hotel. The court records show that although Palm Spring has paid almost $200,000 United States Dollars towards the debt to the courts, with a commitment to pay $10,000 per month, Chinese Lady Nancy, through her boyfriend “Chinese Jack” has complained to the courts that the money is too small. They allegedly asked the courts to collect $100,000 a month on their behalf, or the courts close Colony. When the Debt Court verdict was rendered releasing Colony from all responsibility to the debt, “Chinese Jack” filed a complaint.
Tensions rose when Chief Justice Gbeisay allegedly dismissed Judge Jones from the case and instructed another judge, James N. Kollie, from Labor Court to shut down Colony Hotel within 48 hours unless $150,000 is paid. This surprised many Liberians, especially those abroad who are being encouraged to invest in the country’s economic recovery and watching what is happening to a Liberian who has returned home and invested a substantial amount of money.
A letter from Justice Gbeisay’s Chief of Staff ordered Judge Kollie to enforce the plaintiff’s demand immediately, despite the earlier court ruling that Colony Hotel should be left alone.
Rumors are circulating in the courts that when Gbeisay was an Associate Justice, he allegedly suppressed Judge Jones from hearing Colony Hotel’s Bill of Information, which is the legal document claiming Colony Hotel is separate from Palm Spring’s debts.
Chinese Lady Nancy is said to be part of a group of Chinese nationals who enjoy protection from parts of the judiciary. It’s recalled that Chief Justice Gbeisay himself reportedly ordered the immediate release of another Chinese national, Michael Shio, from prison after Mr. Shio allegedly tortured a Liberian citizen. Micheal Shio is referred to as “Chinese Lawyer Micheal” and allegedly close to Chinese Lady Nancy.
Meanwhile, President Joseph Boakai is pushing Liberians overseas to invest in Liberia and supports their role in economic growth.
At the moment, it’s unclear if Chief Justice Gbeisay will fully reverse the earlier Debt Court decision protecting Colony Hotel. It is important to note that the plaintiff never filed an appeal against Judge Jone’s ruling, and it has baffled legal practitioners that the Chief Justice is proceeding to enforce a judgement against a company that has nothing to do with the initial case. The situation is still developing.
