The President of the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL), Nancy Finda Sammay, has raised serious concerns about recent judicial appointments by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, which have placed individuals without formal legal training or certification in magistrate positions. Judge Sammy’s formal communication to Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., on behalf of NATJL, applauded the Supreme Court’s earlier encouragement for law students to pursue legal education with the promise of becoming future judges.
She warned that the progress has been undermined by appointments that bypass both the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute (JI), noting that the JI was established to ensure professional recruitment and training of magistrates.
She wondered if appointments could bypass the legal recruitment and training process, then what becomes of the necessity and credibility of the Law School and the Judicial Institute—and of those presently undergoing legal training? The NATJL President listed several individuals allegedly appointed as associate magistrates without graduating from either institution, including Rufus Kekeh – Zuolay Magisterial Court, Nimba County, Willeyon Y. Gbeisay – Paynesville Magisterial Court, Montserrado County, Joseph K. K. Fallah – Gbar Magisterial Court, Bomi County, Windell Miller – Edina Magisterial Court, Grand Bassa County, Aaron Morgan Tokpah – Bopolu City Magisterial Court, Gbarpolu County, Jarty Barclay – Kongbor Magisterial Court, Gbarpolu County, Aquoi Kennedy – Kongbor Magisterial Court, Gbarpolu County, and Harris M. Boakai – Voinjama City Magisterial Court, Lofa County.
She urged the Chief Justice to intervene swiftly, cautioning that continued disregard for legal qualifications could erode public trust in the judiciary; additionally, the integrity and independence of the Judiciary must be safeguarded. “Timely corrective action is essential to restoring public confidence in Liberia’s courts,” she said.
