MONROVIA – The Office of the Ombudsman has formally acknowledged a complaint filed by Attorney Isaac Jackson against Chief Justice Gbeisay, assuring that the matter will be investigated promptly and thoroughly. In an email addressed to Jackson by Ms. Younger McGill, Administrative Assistant to the Ombudsman’s Office, the institution expressed gratitude to Jackson for bringing the concerns to its attention and emphasized that no public official, including the Chief Justice, is exempt from ethical scrutiny.
Attorney Jackson, a well-known political commentator, publicly called for the resignation of Chief Justice Gbeisay earlier this month, citing allegations of nepotism and judicial misconduct. The controversy arose after Gbeisay nominated his son for a magisterial position, an action Jackson described as “evidence that he is unfit to head the judiciary.”
In his correspondence, Jackson argued that Gbeisay misled the President of Liberia to advance personal interests, thereby undermining the integrity of the judiciary. He accused the Chief Justice of “distorting and corrupting the law” to justify his son’s appointment, pointing to Article 5 of the Liberian Constitution and relevant Judicial Canons, which prohibit nepotism in public service.
Jackson drew sharp analogies to emphasize his point, likening the appointment to placing a flat-earther in charge of a scientific institution. He warned that the continuation of Gbeisay’s leadership risks eroding public confidence in Liberia’s judiciary and could precipitate a broader legal crisis if left unchecked.
The attorney also referenced Liberia’s historical opposition to nepotism, noting that prior administrations, including that of President Tolbert, faced significant public backlash for similar practices. He warned that failing to act collectively against the Chief Justice’s alleged misconduct could render Liberians complicit in a violation of the law.
Jackson formally submitted his complaint to the Ombudsman’s Office, describing Gbeisay’s actions as an “inchoate offense” and a substantial attempt to circumvent legal prohibitions against nepotism. He highlighted that past judicial failings, such as those during the tenures of Justices Emmanuel Gbalazeh and Korpkor, demonstrate the dangers of public inaction in holding top officials accountable.
In response, the Ombudsman’s Office assured Jackson that his complaint would be investigated expeditiously. Jackson thanked Cllr. Finley Karngar and his colleagues at the Ombudsman’s Office for initiating the review and pledged his full cooperation with the investigation process.
Jackson concluded that any individual who believes nepotism is permissible under law or ethics has no place in Liberia’s courts and reaffirmed that Chief Justice Gbeisay must resign to preserve the credibility and ethical integrity of the judiciary.
