Published: September 25, 2025
MONROVIA — Liberia’s Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay is facing backlash after his son, a law student with no formal judicial training, was recommended for appointment as a magistrate, fueling accusations of nepotism.
In a strongly worded communication to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, the National Association of Trial Judges (NATJL), led by its president, Judge Nancy F. Sammy, expressed alarm over what it described as a troubling trend of bypassing formal judicial training in favor of political and personal influence.
Chief Justice’s Son in Spotlight
According to the NATJL, Willeyon Y. Gbeisay, the Chief Justice’s son, was recommended for appointment to the Paynesville Magisterial Court despite still being enrolled at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and not graduating from the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute (JI), the statutory training program for magistrates.
Willeyon previously served as his father’s special assistant when Gbeisay was an associate justice. His nomination has been widely linked to the Chief Justice’s influence.
Concerns Over Integrity of the Judiciary
Judge Sammy’s letter, seen by The Liberian Investigator, stated:
“I write with deep concern about a matter that touches the heart of our judicial training system and the integrity of the magistracy. If appointments can bypass the legal recruitment and training process, then what becomes of the necessity and credibility of the Law School and the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute? Such a practice risks discouraging merit-based advancement and opens the door for political influence to overshadow judicial independence.”
The NATJL president stressed that the practice runs counter to President Boakai’s stated commitment to the rule of law and called for urgent intervention to safeguard the credibility of the courts.
Other Questioned Appointments
The letter detailed several other appointments of individuals without formal legal training, including:
- Rufus Kekeh, Associate Magistrate, Zuolay Magisterial Court, Nimba County
- Joseph K. K. Fallah, Associate Magistrate, Gbar Magisterial Court, Bomi County
- Windell Miller, Associate Magistrate, Edina Magisterial Court, Grand Bassa County
- Aaron Morgan Tokpah, Associate Magistrate, Bopolu City Court, Bomi County
- Jarty Barclay, Associate Magistrate, Kongbor Court, Gbarpolu County
- Aquoi Kennedy, Associate Magistrate, Kongbor Court, Gbarpolu County
- Harris M. Boakai, Associate Magistrate, Voinjama City Court, Lofa County
The NATJL emphasized that many trained magistrates who endured “rigorous recruitment and training” are being sidelined while unqualified appointees are installed.
Nepotism Allegations
The controversy comes barely a month into Chief Justice Gbeisay’s tenure. Critics accuse him of filling key administrative posts in the judiciary with relatives and allies, many from his native Nimba County.
Among those appointed are Michael S. Korkpor, son of former Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, as Director for Monitoring and Evaluation; Saye M. Zarwolo as Director of Personnel; Alice Sieleaf as Assistant Court Administrator; and Korpo Tomah as Assistant Jury Manager.
Analysts warn that such actions, if left unchecked, risk eroding public confidence in the courts and fueling perceptions that judicial power is being used to entrench family and regional networks rather than uphold the rule of law.
A Test for President Boakai
Judge Sammy’s communication framed the issue as a test of President Boakai’s leadership on judicial independence.
“Sir, I am confident that the recent appointment of non-lawyers and non-PMTP graduates as magistrates does not reflect the intent of His Excellency President Boakai, who has consistently demonstrated appreciation for the rule of law,” she wrote. “Hence, I respectfully appeal that you bring this matter to his attention so that necessary actions may be instituted.”
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