The Senate has summoned three high-ranking government officials over what lawmakers describe as a pattern of legal violations emanating from the Office of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Minister of State Sylvester Grisby, Legal Presidential Advisor Cllr. Busheben Keita, and Minister of Justice Cllr. Oswald Tweh are expected to appear before the Senate Plenary upon their return in May to address concerns over the President’s handling of tenure-protected positions.
The summons follows repeated criticisms from lawmakers, particularly Bomi County Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, who has accused the administration of disregarding legal procedures in appointments, suspensions and dismissals. Snowe argues that President Boakai has repeatedly acted outside the law by suspending tenure officials and appointing acting replacements without Senate approval.
At the center of the controversy is the prolonged suspension of the entire Board of Commissioners of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), which was replaced with acting officials nearly a year ago. Lawmakers argue that this move, among others, lacks legal justification and violates established tenure laws.
The issue gained national attention last year when the Supreme Court ruled against President Boakai’s dismissal of tenure-protected officials. Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, delivering the court’s unanimous decision, made it clear that such dismissals were illegal and ordered the reversal of nominations for those positions. Despite the ruling, the administration has continued to suspend officials based on uninvestigated audit reports, raising further concerns.
A recent example is the replacement of former National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) Director-General Emma Glasco, despite her tenure protection under the law. Lawmakers view these actions as being influenced by the legal and policy advice given to the President by his inner circle.
