By Verity News Editorial Board
The Editorial Team of Verity News offers a shortened profile of Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay moments after his nomination as Chief Justice by President Joseph Nyumah Boakai. While he awaits Senate confirmation, a lot of Liberians, both home and abroad, are eager to find an answer to this simple question: Who is Gbeisay?
Bio:
Born on May 3, 1959, in Gompa City, Nimba County, Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay is a 1979 alumnus of the Dolo Memorial High School in Saniquellie City.
Education:
The nominee for Chief Justice, Associate Justice Gbeissay, holds a “B” Certificate in Language Art and Social Studies from the Kakata Rural Teacher’s Training Institute (KRTTI) in 1983. The incoming Chief Justice also holds a B.A. in Public Administration in 1988. He obtained a Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) from UL’s Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law in 1998. Justice Gbeisay was admitted as a Counselor-At-Law in 2002.
Non-Legal Expertise:
1) Language Arts Teacher, MCSS: 1984–1989
2) Research Analyst, Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 1989–1990
3) Director of Claims and Benefits, NASSCORP: 1996–1999
Legal Expertise:
1) Legal Counsel, Ministry of Labor: 2001–2003
2) Legal Counsel, National Elections Commission: 2003–2005
3) Managing Partner, Tiala Law Associates: 2005–2009
4) Legal Consultant, Ministry of Justice: 2009–2014
5) Relieving Judge: 2015–2022
6) Associate Justice: 2022–Present
7) Nominated Chief Justice: June 30, 2025
Appointment:
In accordance with Article 54(c) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, President Joseph Nyumah Boakai nominated Associate Justice Gbeisay to succeed retired Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh who turned 70 years on June 26, 2025 and had to exit in line with Article 72(b) which sets an age limit of 70 for judges.
Retirement:
Associate Justice Gbeisay is already 66 years old. Exactly from today, June 20, 2025, Judge Gbeisay has 3 years, 11 months, and 1 day to retire. So when will Justice Gbeisay retire as Chief Justice if confirmed? He has up to May 3, 2029 to retire if confirmed, which is 1,431 days from now.
Conclusion:
In our next profiling editorial, this paper will critically examine Associate Justice Gbeisay as an attorney, a counselor, a judge, and an associate justice with emphasis on integrity, independence, legal shrewdness, and commitment to The Rule of Law.
