CAPITOL HILL, MONROVIA – Judicial storm erupted Tuesday after Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah submitted a resolution to the House of Representatives seeking the impeachment of Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay. The move comes just days after the Office of the Ombudsman acknowledged a related complaint filed by Attorney Isaac Jackson, further intensifying scrutiny surrounding the nation’s top judicial officer.
In a letter dated November 4, 2025, and obtained by Smart News Liberia, Rep. Kolubah outlined sweeping allegations ranging from nepotism and constitutional violations to judicial interference and abuse of power. The communication, formally titled “Resolution Impeaching Yamie Gbeisay, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, for Proved Misconduct and Gross Breach of Duty,” accuses the Chief Justice of conduct that Kolubah argues undermines the rule of law and compromises the independence of the judiciary.
Citing Article 71 of the Constitution, Kolubah emphasized that the Chief Justice’s actions amount to “proved misconduct” and “gross breach of duty,” qualifying him for impeachment and removal from office. The resolution includes an extensive catalog of allegations, capturing months of escalating friction between judicial actors and the leadership of the Supreme Court.
Central to the impeachment effort is the allegation of entrenched nepotism. The National Trial Judges Association had recently raised concerns about the Chief Justice’s recommendation of individuals for associate magistrate positions who, according to the judges, lacked the required legal training or credentials. Among those flagged were Harris M. Boakai, a relative of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and Willeyon Y. Gbeisay, the Chief Justice’s son.
In their communication to Chief Justice Gbeisay, the association questioned the integrity of the judicial recruitment process, warning that bypassing the Judicial Institute and accredited law school programs jeopardizes the credibility of the entire system. Instead of addressing the concerns constructively, Rep. Kolubah alleges that Chief Justice Gbeisay summoned the association’s president in open court, where he “derided, chastised, humiliated and intimidated” her. A video-recorded portion of the exchange cited in the resolution reportedly captured the Chief Justice defending his recommendation of his son and concluding with the statement, “He who lives in glass houses should not throw stones.”
Rep. Kolubah’s resolution further alleges that the Chief Justice engaged in an improper quid pro quo arrangement by advancing both his son and a presidential relative for judiciary appointments. The lawmaker contends that these actions violated Article 5(a) of the Constitution, which prohibits nepotism and all forms of corrupt practices, as well as the Code of Conduct governing public officials, which forbids promoting the interests of relatives within an official’s sphere of authority.
The resolution asserts that Chief Justice Gbeisay’s conduct has “purged the judiciary of its independence,” exposing it to executive interference and internal manipulation. Kolubah argued that such actions are incompatible with democratic governance and threaten the stability and credibility of Liberia’s justice system.
“If allowed to remain in office, the Chief Justice will continue to pose a threat to the judiciary, democracy, and the Constitution,” the resolution concludes, calling for his impeachment, trial, removal from office, and permanent disqualification from holding public office.
