Published: October 31, 2025
CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA — Amid confusion over whether Liberia’s proposed War and Economic Crimes Court could rival the Supreme Court, lawmakers have clarified that the tribunal will remain firmly under the authority of the nation’s highest judicial body, even as the country edges closer to establishing long-awaited justice and anti-corruption mechanisms.
Lofa County Senator Cllr. Joseph K. Jallah, Co-Chair of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims, and Petition, on Thursday submitted two landmark bills to create the War Crimes Court and a Special Economic and Corruption Crimes Court. He stressed that both institutions would be inferior to the Supreme Court, not replacements for it.
“Whether it is the War Crimes Court or the Economic or Corruption Court, you will go to the Supreme Court for appeal,” Jallah told reporters after plenary. “That’s what we have authority to do, and that’s why we’re creating these courts at this time.”
Constitutional Basis and Legislative Backing
Jallah explained that the bills draw legitimacy from Article 34 of the 1986 Constitution, which empowers the Legislature to establish courts inferior to the Supreme Court, and from Joint Resolution No. 001/2024, which calls for two separate judicial entities, one to address war crimes and crimes against humanity, and another to prosecute economic and corruption-related offenses.
He added that the War Crimes Court would be temporary, while the Special Economic and Corruption Crimes Court would be permanent, ensuring that Liberia maintains a standing legal mechanism to fight corruption long after the war crimes process concludes.
“This is a defining moment for Liberia,” Jallah said. “These bills are not about revenge; they are about restoring the dignity of our nation, healing wounds through justice, and ensuring that corruption and impunity no longer define our governance.”
A Step Toward Justice and Reconciliation
Jallah said the proposed War Crimes Court would ensure accountability for atrocities committed during Liberia’s civil conflicts and give long-overdue recognition to victims who have waited decades for justice. Meanwhile, the Special Economic and Corruption Crimes Court would strengthen the country’s weak prosecutorial systems and rebuild public confidence in state institutions.
“Our people deserve a Liberia where justice serves as the foundation for peace, prosperity, and good governance,” he said. “Together, these courts represent a framework for replacing impunity with justice and corruption with transparency.”
Bipartisan Support for Reform
Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, who co-sponsored the bills, described the initiative as a bipartisan effort to strengthen the rule of law and advance national reconciliation.
“This mission is about inclusive governance, social justice, and empowering citizens, especially women and youth, to become active participants in nation-building,” she said. “History will judge this Legislature by the courage it shows today to right the wrongs of yesterday.”
Karnga-Lawrence said she was optimistic that her colleagues would treat the bills with urgency, describing their passage as “a moral and constitutional duty.”
Legal Debate Over Jurisdiction and Structure
Despite growing support, legal experts remain divided over the new courts’ framework. Former Chief Justice Cllr. Gloria Musu Scott has cautioned that the proposed tribunals must not dilute or bypass the Supreme Court’s authority as the final arbiter of justice.
However, Cllr. Bornor Varmah, President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA), argues that the War and Economic Crimes Court could function as a hybrid model, blending domestic and international law, with some appeals possibly handled by external judicial mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Boakai Administration’s Push and Funding Gaps
The legislative momentum follows President Joseph Boakai’s Executive Order No. 131, issued in May 2024, which established the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court and appointed Cllr. Jonathan Massaquoi Barbu to spearhead its setup.
However, officials admit that funding remains a major challenge. Establishing two fully functional courts will require substantial technical and financial support, likely from international partners, given the strain on Liberia’s judiciary and infrastructure.
Senator Jallah acknowledged these constraints but maintained that financial limitations “cannot continue to be an excuse for inaction.”
“The pursuit of justice is never convenient,” he said. “What matters is that we begin that Liberia sends a clear message that accountability is not optional.”
Discussion about this post