Published: August 21, 2025
MONROVIA — Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay pledged Wednesday to lead a “robust and result-oriented” Supreme Court, promising reforms to strengthen accountability, curb corruption, and enforce higher performance standards across Liberia’s judiciary.
“My administration will be robust and result-oriented,” Gbeisay declared at a formal ceremony seating him as Chief Justice and Boakai N. Kanneh as Associate Justice. “I intend to talk less but do more.”
Judiciary Monitoring and Evaluation Division
Central to his agenda is the transformation of the judiciary’s Inspectorate Division into a Judiciary Monitoring and Evaluation Division (JM&ED), to be headed by a licensed counselor. The new division will conduct regular inspections of court facilities, monitor judges and magistrates, and compile data on case outcomes.
“The division will analyze the returns of all judges and magistrates, establish statistics on cases disposed of, and determine how many were confirmed or reversed by the Supreme Court,” Gbeisay said. “This information will be essential in making critical financial and administrative decisions. We must grade our judges and make the judiciary a performance-based institution.”
Tackling Corruption and Misconduct
The new Chief Justice promised “zero tolerance for corruption and ethical malpractice” within the judiciary. He outlined specific steps, including:
Posting signs in courthouses warning against bribery.
Installing security cameras in strategic locations.
Publishing hotlines for reporting corrupt practices.
Requiring certain officers, such as sheriffs and curators, to post indemnity bonds to ensure accountability for entrusted funds.
Reinforcing the Judicial Inquiry Commission and the Grievance and Ethics Commission.
“Whether the talk of corruption in the judiciary is real or perceived, we will put systems in place as preventative measures,” he said.
Standards for Judges and Lawyers
The chief justice called out shortcomings in judicial rulings, noting that some judges fail to clearly articulate facts, identify legal issues, or cite proper precedent.
“We will no longer accept rulings based only on phrases like ‘in the mind of the court’ or ‘law writers have said,’” he warned. “Judges must read extensively and apply relevant laws to support their decisions.”
He also cautioned young lawyers against fabricating evidence and pledged stricter enforcement of professional standards: “We will initiate concrete steps to ensure that lawyers remain in line with the professional practice of law.”
Circuit Court Reform and Land Disputes
Gbeisay announced that judges will be required to remain in their circuits after jury terms to handle non-jury and administrative cases, ensuring that county attorneys and public defenders also remain in rural postings rather than relocating to Monrovia.
He vowed to address land disputes, which he called a “nightmare for our courts,” by working with the Liberia Land Authority and the National Archives to detect fraudulent deeds and prioritize cases of criminal conveyance.
Training and Capacity Building
The chief justice pledged to work with judicial institutes to design short-term training programs to sharpen judges’ and court staff’s skills. He stressed the importance of continuous learning to strengthen decision-making and legal analysis.
Tribute and Collegiality
Paying tribute to outgoing Chief Justice Sie‑A‑Nyene Gyapay Youh, Gbeisay likened judicial service to performing on a stage: “When you are given the opportunity to appear on it, you must meet the challenge and perform to the best of your ability.”
He praised his colleagues – Senior Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie, Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba, and Associate Justice Ceaneh Clinton-Johnson — for their support and emphasized teamwork. “The work of the Supreme Court is a collective responsibility. Though I am the spokesperson and administrative head, I am only one among equals. I will consult all of you on crucial decisions.”
Executive, Bar Pledge Support
Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, representing President Joseph Boakai, described the appointments of Gbeisay and Kanneh as a solemn national responsibility.
“Justice is the cornerstone of peace, stability, and progress,” Koung said. “Where justice thrives, trust in public institutions deepens; where justice fails, society weakens.” He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to judicial independence and the separation of powers.
The Liberian National Bar Association, through President Cllr. Bornor Varmah, pledged full support to the bench and promised to collaborate in strengthening the rule of law.
A New Era for the Judiciary
Closing his remarks, Gbeisay vowed to restore public trust in Liberia’s courts:
“During my tenure, there will be zero tolerance for corruption and ethical malpractice by judicial actors — whether judge, lawyer, or staff. The judiciary must be a place where justice is served to all, rich or poor, irrespective of color, creed, or political connection.”
Discussion about this post