MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has strongly criticized Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay for recommending his son, Willeyon Gbeisay, to serve in the judiciary, describing the act as a clear case of nepotism and a violation of Liberia’s Code of Conduct for public officials.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at CENTAL’s headquarters in Sinkor, Monrovia, Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen addressed recent developments surrounding Willeyon Gbeisay’s nomination. On September 18, 2025, President Joseph N. Boakai nominated several individuals to fill judicial vacancies, including Willeyon Gbeisay, who was tapped to serve as Associate Magistrate at the Paynesville Magisterial Court.
The nomination sparked widespread public criticism, including from Judge Nancy Finda Sammy of the Trial Judges Association of Liberia. In a September 23 letter to Chief Justice Gbeisay, Judge Sammy argued that the nomination violated the judiciary’s legal recruitment and training procedures. In response, Chief Justice Gbeisay admitted that he recommended his son to President Boakai but denied that his actions constituted any legal or ethical breach.
CENTAL sharply disagrees. Miamen said the Chief Justice’s actions amount to a blatant disregard for Liberia’s Code of Conduct. “Section 1.3.16 of the Code clearly defines nepotism as when a public official appoints, employs, promotes, or recommends for advancement family members in any agency or branch of government in which he or she works,” Miamen stated. He further explained that Section 1.3.12 of the Code defines family members to include biological or adopted children of public officials.
According to Miamen, “The action of the Chief Justice to recommend his son to serve in a branch of government he not only works in but heads and supervises clearly constitutes nepotism and a gross disregard for the Code of Conduct for public officials. This code applies to the judiciary, legislature, and executive branches of government.”
While CENTAL welcomed the resignation of Willeyon Gbeisay, which was announced by the Office of the President on October 1, 2025, Miamen emphasized that the resignation does not absolve the Chief Justice of wrongdoing. “Such resignation does not remedy the misconduct on the part of the Chief Justice, especially since he brazenly defended his actions on public television and even sought to humiliate and intimidate Judge Sammy, the President of the National Association of Trial Judges,” Miamen asserted.
He questioned how Chief Justice Gbeisay could fairly rule on a similar case of nepotism when he himself has engaged in such conduct. CENTAL pointed to Section 9.8 of the Code of Conduct, which stipulates that penalties for nepotism include reprimand, suspension, demotion, or removal from employment, and may also include barring the offender from working in government for up to five years.
Miamen called on the Legislature to impose the appropriate sanctions on the Chief Justice to uphold the integrity of the judiciary. He also urged President Boakai to demonstrate leadership and adhere to his pledge to uphold the rule of law. “We call on President Boakai to lead by example and move away from business as usual, including nepotism, which has undermined accountability, transparency, and productivity in successive governments,” Miamen stressed.
CENTAL concluded by urging caution and integrity in recruitment and appointment processes to prevent further erosion of public trust in Liberia’s judicial system.
