Shortly After Her Tenure Expires @ The Constitutional Retirement Age Of 70
PHOTO: Chief Justice Designate Justice Yeami Gbeisay
By Our Staff Writer
Just after incumbent Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh reached the constitutional retirement age of 70 this June, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai earlier today, Monday, June 30, 2026 announced his nomination of current Associate Justice, Yeami Gbeisay to replace her.
He is to face Senate confirmation hearing in line with Article 54 of the Liberian constitution. And if confirmed, Justice Gbeisay will be the second Chief Justice from Nimba County, few years after former Chief Justice Francis Korkpor was retired to be replaced by then Associate Justice, Yuoh on September 27, 2022 when she became the second female Chief Justice of Liberia.
Article 72 of Liberia’s 1986 constitution says:
- “The Justices of the Supreme Court and all other judges shall receive such salaries, allowances and benefits as shall be established by law. Such salaries shall be subject to taxes as defined by law, provided that they shall not otherwise be diminished. Allowances and benefits paid to Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts may by law be increased but may not be diminished except under a national program enacted by the Legislature; nor shall such allowance and benefits be subject to taxation.
- The Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts of record shall be retired at the age of seventy; provided, however, that a justice of judge who has attained that age may continue in office for as long as may be necessary to enable him to render judgement or perform any other judicial duty in regard to proceedings entertained by him before the attained that age. “
Outgoing Chief Justice Yuoh hails from southeastern Liberia.
“In a nomination letter addressed to the Liberian Senate, President Boakai described Justice Gbeisay as a “distinguished jurist [who] has demonstrated exemplary integrity, profound legal acumen, and commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution,” says the Executive Mansion press release.
His nomination was one of the names that was highly speculated in legal and political cycles as the retirement of Chief Justice Yuoh was nearing,
Justice Gbeisay too is himself said to be several more years from reaching the constitutional retirement age.
SEE FULL TEXT OF THE EM PRESS RELEASE BELOW:
PRESIDENT BOAKAI NOMINATES ASSOCIATE JUSTICE YAMIE QUIQUI GBEISAY AS CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT
June 30, 2025
Executive Mansion, Monrovia– President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has nominated
Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
The nomination was made in accordance with Article 54(c) of the 1986 Constitution of
Liberia, which grants the President the authority to appoint the Chief Justice, Associate Justices, and Judges of Subordinate Courts. Additionally, the nomination aligns with Article 72(b) of the Constitution, which mandates retirement of Justices upon reaching the age of seventy.
In a nomination letter addressed to the Liberian Senate, President Boakai described
Justice Gbeisay as a “distinguished jurist [who] has demonstrated exemplary integrity,
profound legal acumen, and commitment to upholding the rule of law and the
Constitution.”
President Boakai called on the Honorable Liberian Senate to “expeditiously consider and confirm this nomination.”
Justice Gbeisay’s appointment, if confirmed, will mark a continuation of his longstanding
judicial service and dedication to the Liberian legal system.
President Boakai calls on officials of government to continue to demonstrate diligence, commitment, integrity, professionalism, and loyalty in service to country.
Signed:
Atty. Kula Bonah Nyei Fofana
Presidential Press Secretary