MONROVIA – The National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL) has expressed serious concerns over recent judicial appointments that placed individuals without formal legal training or certification into magistrate positions across the country.
In a formal communication to Chief Justice Yammie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., NATJL President Judge Nancy Finda Sammy commended the Supreme Court’s prior encouragement for law students to pursue legal education with the promise of future judgeships. However, she warned that this progress is being undermined by appointments that bypass both the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law and the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute (JI).
Judge Sammy emphasized that the Judicial Institute was established to ensure the professional recruitment and training of magistrates. “If appointments can bypass the legal recruitment and training process,” she asked, “then what becomes of the necessity and credibility of the Law School and the Judicial Institute and of those presently undergoing legal training?”
To underscore its concerns, the NATJL listed several individuals allegedly appointed as Associate Magistrates without graduating from either institution, including Rufus Kekeh at Zuolay Magisterial Court in Nimba County, Willeyon Y. Gbeisay at Paynesville Magisterial Court in Montserrado County, Joseph K. K. Fallah at Gbar Magisterial Court in Bomi County, Windell Miller at Edina Magisterial Court in Grand Bassa County, Aaron Morgan Tokpah at Bopolu City Magisterial Court in Gbarpolu County, Jarty Barclay and Aquoi Kennedy at Kongbor Magisterial Court in Gbarpolu County, and Harris M. Boakai at Voinjama City Magisterial Court in Lofa County.
Judge Sammy urged Chief Justice Gbeisay to intervene promptly, warning that continued disregard for legal qualifications could erode public confidence in the judiciary. She stressed that the integrity and independence of the courts must be safeguarded and called for timely corrective action to restore trust in Liberia’s judicial system.
The NATJL’s statement reflects growing concern among legal professionals that appointments outside established legal frameworks threaten the credibility of the judiciary, undermining years of effort to professionalize Liberia’s magistracy.
The association’s appeal comes at a critical time as the judiciary works to maintain public confidence while addressing challenges related to capacity, training, and equitable access to justice. Judge Sammy’s communication underscores the need for strict adherence to legal qualifications to preserve the rule of law and protect Liberia’s democratic institutions.
The NATJL concluded that without immediate and decisive intervention, the legitimacy of the country’s courts could be compromised, highlighting the importance of transparency, professionalism, and merit in judicial appointments.
