Monrovia, Temple of Justice – A group of Magistrates from various Magisterial Courts in Montserrado County have filed a petition for a Writ of Prohibition against Her Honor Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, and other officials within the Judiciary Branch.
The petition was filed in response to a recent directive issued by the President of Liberia, His Excellency Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., regarding the re-appointment of Magistrates.
The petitioners, including His Honor John Lafayette Griggs, Augustine Togba, James Dudu, Stipendiary Magistrates from Bushrod Island and West Point Magisterial Courts, as well as several Associate Magistrates, are seeking the intervention of the court following an announcement made on December 20, 2024, in which the President issued letters of re-appointment to Magistrates across the country in accordance with Section 7.5 of the Judiciary Law of 1972 (as amended in 2013).
According to the petitioners, the directive issued by Chief Justice Yuoh, which informed them that their appointments were not renewed, is in violation of the laws governing judicial appointments.
The petitioners claim that their rights were violated and have requested the court to issue a Writ of Prohibition to prevent the enforcement of this directive.
In response to the petition, Supreme Court Justice in Chambers Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., has cited both parties for a conference scheduled for February 5, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.
The conference will address the legal matters surrounding the re-appointments and the petitioners’ claim for a judicial remedy.
The case has drawn attention to the power dynamics within Liberia’s Judiciary, with concerns over the proper interpretation and application of the law regarding the tenure and reappointment of Magistrates.
The petitioners have also raised questions about the constitutional authority of the Chief Justice and the President in making such decisions without proper consultation or due process.
As the case progresses, the outcome will likely have significant implications for the future of judicial appointments in Liberia and the balance of power within the country’s legal system.
All eyes are now on the Supreme Court as they prepare to deliberate on this matter in the coming days.
Many legal pundits are eagerly waiting to see as to whether the Supreme Court Justice in Chamber will rule against his colleagues this matter before him.
