The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has blasted the National Association of Trial Judges’ (NATJL) statement regarding his son’s appointment as one of the associate magistrate judges for the judiciary. Speaking over the weekend, Chief Justice Gbeisay challenged the NATJL President Nancy Finda Sammy to produce any legal instrument, constitutional, statutory, or administrative, that prohibits a sitting Chief Justice from recommending a qualified individual, including a relative, for judicial appointment.
According to Chief Justice Gbeisay, his son’s recommendation to serve as an associate magistrate is not an act of favoritism but a reflection of his capabilities and interest in public service; as such, the law does not disqualify him based on relation, nor does it forbid a chief justice from exercising his right to recommend. The high priest mentioned that until Judge Sammy can present a clear violation of law or ethical breach, their concerns remain speculative and unfounded. “The Judiciary must operate on the basis of law, not innuendo,” he said.
