Justice in Chambers, Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie has granted a writ of prohibition in favor of Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan, Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Justice Wolokollie ruled that the Executive Branch of government acted beyond its legal authority when it removed Dr. Nyan as director general of NPHIL.
Dr. Nyan had petitioned the Supreme Court in October 2025 for a writ of prohibition following his removal by President Joseph Boakai based on recommendations from the Board of NPHIL. He contended that his dismissal violated the NPHIL Act of 2016, which provides job protection for the director general and permits removal only for proven cause following investigation and board action.
In her ruling on Monday, February 16, 2026, Associate Justice Wolokolie ordered that Nyan be reinstated to his post or be paid full compensation and benefits for the remainder of his five-year statutory tenure. Dr. Nyan was appointed on August 1, 2024, by President Boakai. The appointment of Nyan created a contractual relationship with the state, thus giving Nyan a fixed term and safeguarding him from arbitrary removal. The court emphasized that while the Executive Branch retains discretionary authority, such power must be exercised within the limits of the law and in respect of contractual protections guaranteed by the Constitution.
