Monrovia – The National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL) has criticized recent judicial appointments that placed individuals without legal training or certification into magistrate positions across the country.
In a letter sent to Chief Justice Yammie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., the NATJL President Judge Nancy Sammy warned that progress in the judiciary 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).
She said the JI was established to ensure professional recruitment and training of magistrates.
“If appointments can bypass the legal recruitment and training process then what becomes of the necessity and credibility of the Law School and the Judicial Institute—and of those presently undergoing legal training?”, she asked.
Individuals the NATJL says that are allegedly appointed as Associate Magistrates without graduating from JI or Louise Arthur Grimes School of Law are:
• Rufus Kekeh – Zuolay Magisterial Court, Nimba County
• Willeyon Y. Gbeisay – Paynesville Magisterial Court, Montserrado County
• Joseph K. K. Fallah – Gbar Magisterial Court, Bomi County
• Windell Miller – Edina Magisterial Court, Grand Bassa County
• Aaron Morgan Tokpah – Bopolu City Magisterial Court, Gbarpolu County
• Jarty Barclay – Kongbor Magisterial Court, Gbarpolu County
• Aquoi Kennedy – Kongbor Magisterial Court, Gbarpolu County
• Harris M. Boakai – Voinjama City Magisterial Court, Lofa County
The President of NATJL has urged Chief Justice Gbeisay to intervene swiftly, and has warned that continued disregard for legal qualifications could erode public trust in the judiciary.
“The integrity and independence of the Judiciary must be safeguarded,” Judge Sammy said.
“Timely corrective action is essential to restoring public confidence in Liberia’s courts,” she added.
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