PHOTO: (L-R) Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay and his newly appointed son, Wlleyon Y. Gbeisay
By Our Staff Writer
Whether “resigned” or walked away from his appointment as Associate Magistrate, Willeyon Y. Gbeisay, the son of Liberia’s Supreme Court Chief Justice, Yamie Gbeisay has declined to take up his post, in the wake of serious public outcry.
In their letter to the Chief Justice dated September 23rd, 2025 and signed by the Trial Judges Association’s President, Judge Nancy Finda Sammy, the Trial Judges said that the recent appointment made by Justice Gbeisay ran counter to an earlier pronouncement made by him which “raises a critical question: if appointments can bypass the legal recruitment and training process,” Trial Judges Assoc. Takes Chief Justice Gbiesay To Task For Appointing His Son, Others As Magistrate With No Legal Education – News Public Trust
But on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, the Executive Mansion announced that the President Joseph Nyuma Boakai “has formally accepted the resignation of Associate Magistrate-Designate Willeyon Y. Gbeisay of the Paynesville Magisterial Court”.
The Mansion’s press release said:
“Mr. Gbeisay, in a communication addressed to the President, expressed gratitude for the preferment but tendered his resignation in order to continue his legal studies at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law. He further explained that his decision was made in good faith to avoid public misconceptions and to prevent any distractions from the ongoing reforms within the Judiciary.”
Earlier this week, the junior Gbeisay’s father, Chief Justice Yamie Gbeisay said nothing was wrong with the appointment of his son and other Magistrates who lacked the legal credentials.
Instead, he blasted the Trial Judges Association for their recent to him pointing out that it was wrong to appoint his son and other non-lawyers as Magistrates, describing its leader, Judge Nancy Finda Sammy as hypocrite. Chief Justice Gbeisay Blasts Liberia Trial Judges: “If My Son Cannot Serve, Resign” – News Public Trust
Meanwhile, President Boakai has thanked Mr. Willeyon Y. Gbeisay and “commended his commitment to his personal and professional development”.