Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has declared war on the judicial corruption and launched sweeping reforms during the opening of the October Term of Court.
Addressing a packed Chambers of legal minds, government officials, foreign dignitaries, and members of the public at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, Chief Justice Gbeisay stressed the need for form, accountability, and hope.
With the presence of President Joseph N. Boakai and top officials from all branches of government, Chief Justice Gbeisay outlined a bold and unapologetic plan to root out inefficiency, restore public trust, and overhaul the nation’s troubled judiciary.
Declaring the October Term of Court open, he did not mince words: “Corruption must go or corrupt people must go!”
Restoring Integrity and Speed in the Courts
Chief Justice Gbeisay revealed that despite only being in office for two months, his administration has taken aggressive steps to address longstanding issues in Liberia’s justice system.
He cited the unacceptable delays in case adjudication, particularly in the Commercial and Criminal Courts, and disclosed strategic interventions aimed at increasing courtroom capacity and reducing backlogs.
For instance, the Commercial Court now operates with two functioning courtrooms to match its three-judge structure, while Criminal Court “E”, responsible for sexual offense cases, has been split to address its staggering caseload of 106 cases and 190 pretrial detainees, some jailed for nearly a decade without trial.
“These delays are not only unjust, they are inhumane,” the Chief Justice asserted, warning that such backlogs infringe on the fundamental rights of detainees and damage the credibility of the judiciary.
Audit, Accountability, and a New Judicial Police
In a move lauded as unprecedented, the Chief Justice announced the establishment of a Judicial Monitoring, Evaluation, and Accountability Unit, a watchdog body tasked with overseeing the conduct and performance of judges, magistrates, and judicial staff.
The unit has been granted sweeping powers, including unannounced visits, access to court records, and the authority to take photographic and audio evidence where necessary.
“Let it be clear,” he stated, “this unit is not for show. It is our internal police, and it means business.”
Additionally, the General Auditing Commission (GAC) has been commissioned to conduct a full audit of the previous judiciary administration, while a Civil Service-led verification of court staff has already uncovered gross payroll discrepancies and ghost employees.
Reforming From Within, Judiciary Staff and Salary Imbalances
A shocking revelation from the Chief Justice highlighted stark salary disparities, with some lower-level judiciary staff reportedly earning far more than their superiors without justification.
He vowed this imbalance would be corrected immediately, and that staff past retirement age would be retired by year’s end.
“This kind of favoritism and financial disorder has no place in a judiciary striving for excellence,” he said firmly.
Partnerships, Law Reform, and Legal Education
The Chief Justice used the occasion to praise President Boakai for increasing the judiciary’s 2025 budget and complying with the long-ignored Financial Autonomy Act.
He announced ongoing collaboration with the Executive and Legislature to establish a dedicated Family and Children’s Court to handle sensitive matters like divorce, child custody, and adoption more effectively.
On legal education, Gbeisay commended the establishment of the Liberian Law School as a necessary competitor to the longstanding Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, noting the new institution’s recent victory at the ECOWAS Moot Court Competition in Côte d’Ivoire.
“This is a win not just for the new school, but for all of Liberia,” he said, linking the success to a new era of excellence in legal education.
An Appeal for Infrastructure and Development
In closing, Chief Justice Gbeisay called on President Boakai to ensure that his legacy includes the construction of a modern Supreme Court complex, promising that such a milestone would symbolize national commitment to justice and the rule of law.
With a tone that was both solemn and determined, Liberia’s Chief Justice concluded his statement with a message of humility and urgency:
“Since we have not done enough, we need not say much.”
As the judiciary embarks on this historic reform path, the legal community and Liberians across the nation are watching with cautious optimism.
