Putting To An End The Debate Over Vacancy On The Supreme Court Bench
PHOTO: The fallen Justice Joseph N. Nagbe
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
The fate of one of the four Supreme Court Justices, Joseph N. Nagbe was a serious issue of contention in the last few weeks of former President Geroge Manneh Weah, who even nominated his former Justice Minister, Cllr Frank Musa Dean for the last Senate’s confirmation but that didn’t happen until his CDC government expired.
In the wake of the serious illness of Justice Nagbe, the debate was over whether early retirement or he had reached the constitutionally required age of 70 to retire.
Now, the debate of whether or not there is vacancy at the Supreme Court Bench is all over, as the holder of vacancy Associate Justice Nagbe who requested for early retirement has fallen to the cold hand of death.
The Judicial Canon two states:
Any seat of honour which is made vacant by reason of death, resignation or impeachment from office of a Justice of the Supreme Court, shall remain vacant until the vacancy is filled by appointment and such appointee is commissioned and ceremoniously seated.
The Liberian Associate Justice Nagbe died in Accra late Saturday evening, March 2, 2024 after the death news of Nigerian movies icon John Okafor came up.
Associate Justice Joseph N. Nagbe, after a had been battling this prolonged illness when he was elected as Senator for Sinoe County in 2017 following his nomination and subsequent confirmation as Associate Justice of the Supreme in 2018
Reports sat he died on March 2,2024 in Accra, Ghana after a protracted illness spanning into two years.
The new Liberian President now at the helm of power, Joseph Nyuma Boakai is the one with the authority to nominate a new Associate Justice to replace the fallen Justice, who had earlier served as Senator of Sinoe County for a number of years.
Who the 26th President’s choice will be remains to be seen.
Associate Nagbe wrote the former President George M. Weah on December 21,2023 for early retirement from the Supreme Court and said request led to the nomination of former Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean on the Supreme Court Bench but said nomination was challenged by the ruling Unity Party government that there was no vacancy on the Supreme Court because Associate Justice Nagbe hasn’t served the Supreme Court for ten or fifteen years.
The letter reads:
“I present my Compliments and by this communication request for early retirement from the Supreme Court Bench of the Republic of Liberia.
If you can recall your Honor, I have been out of the bailiwick of Liberia for a period of eight months to seek medical attention for ill-health; but it has now become evident that the healing process to my recovery will take a longer period than expected and therefore, cannot allow my physical presence in the Chambers of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia in the soonest; hence, my request for an early retirement.
My regard to the rest of our colleagues and wish you all as you provide access to Justice and strengthen the rule of law in our Republic.”