MURMURING ON THE SUPREME COURT BENCH
- Michael T
- Jul 4
- 2 min read
Since the controversial elevation of Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay as Chief Justice, murmurs of discontent have echoed through the halls of Liberia’s Supreme Court. Justices on the bench reportedly view Gbeisay as lacking the firmness, objectivity, and gravitas expected of a Chief Justice. His appointment, despite being the least ranked and least senior, has fueled suspicions that President Boakai is more interested in a compliant judiciary than an independent one.
Tradition and logic both pointed to Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie as the natural choice for Chief Justice. With 18 years on the bench since her 2007 nomination, Wolokollie is the Court’s most senior member and widely respected for her independence and deep institutional memory. Known for her unyielding stance against political interference and her advocacy for judicial reform, she has long been seen as the pillar of integrity within Liberia’s highest court.
Second in line was Justice Yussif D. Kaba, who, in just over six years, has earned a reputation for methodical reasoning and ethical rigor. Kaba’s background as a circuit judge, ECOWAS Community Court vice president, and law professor made him a logical, steadying candidate for the top job—someone who could command respect both on and off the bench.
Then there is Justice Ceaineh D. Clinton, the Court’s newest member, whose arrival was accompanied by rumours she had been promised the Chief Justice seat. Clinton’s reputation for firmness and her outspoken stance against judicial corruption have made her a symbol of what a truly independent judiciary could be. Her principled approach, however, may have cost her the promotion, as the administration appears to favour pliability over principle.
Instead, it was Justice Gbeisay—least senior, least experienced, and widely viewed as lacking the firmness and gravitas required—who was handed the gavel. Legal analysts and court insiders alike have questioned the wisdom of the move, with one observer bluntly stating, “No serious president would have chosen him.” The decision is seen less as a nod to merit and more as a calculated effort to ensure the Supreme Court becomes as compliant as the legislature.
With both the legislature and judiciary now widely seen as extensions of the Executive Mansion, the promise of an impartial justice system is slipping further from reach. Having succeeded in shaping a rubber-stamp legislature, the president is now turning his focus to the judiciary, doing all it takes to consolidate power. The country is left to brace itself for what lies ahead, as the separation of powers—once a cornerstone of Liberia’s democracy—faces its most serious test in years.
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