NATJL Expresses “Deep Concern” In Letter To The New Chief Justice, But No Reaction Yet From His Office
PHOTO: (L-R0 Trial Judges President Judge Nancy Finda Sammy and Wlleyon Y. Gbeisay, newly appointed Magistrate
By Frank Sainworla, Jr., fsainworla@yahoo.com
Below is the list of some individuals appointed as Associate Magistrates who are neither Law School Graduates nor PMTP Graduates:
- Rufus Kekeh– Associate Magistrate appointed to Zuolay Magisterial Cout, 8th Jud. Circuit, Nimba County;
- Wlleyon Y. Gbeisay– Associate Magistrate appointed to Paynesville Magisterial Court, 1st Jud. Circuit, Montserrado County;
- Joseph K. K. Fallah– Associate Magistrate appointed to Gbar Magisterial Court, 11th Jud. Circuit, Bomi County, among others
The old adage which says, “he who comes with equity, must come with clean hands” seems to have taken the reverse in latest appointment of Judges by the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr.
Besides calling for a credential audit of the Judiciary to ensure qualified people are in charge manning the country’s courts upon taking office, the new Chief Justice also spoke of the need to ensure transparency and accountability of Liberia’s judicial system.
But now, many weeks after being seated, Chief Justice Gbeisay, Sr.is said to have appointed several persons as Associate Magistrates who the National Trial Judges Association of Liberia (NATJL) says “are neither Law School Graduates nor PMTP Graduates”., with the list including his son, Wlleyon Y. Gbeisay.
Wileyon Y. Gbeisay has been appointed as Associate Magistrate appointed to Paynesville Magisterial Court, 1st Jud. Circuit, Montserrado County;
But so far, there has been no reaction from the office of Chief Justice Gbeisay.
The Trial Judges’ concern is contained in a September 23, 2025 letter addressed to the new Chief Justice
Signed by the NATJL’s President, Judge Nancy Finda Sammy, says the National Trial Judges Association’s letter to Chief Justice Gbeisay.
“Further, I also write with deep concern about a matter that touches the heart of our judicial training system and the integrity of the magistracy. As you are aware, the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute (JI) was established to professionally recruit, rigorously train, and qualify magistrates to serve across the Republic. Many of them underwent this demanding process and are now serving as Associate Magistrates pursuant to its mandate”
This is a move the NATJL said ran counter to an earlier pronouncement made by Chief Justice Gebeisay, which said “raises a critical question: if appointments can bypass the legal recruitment and training process,”
“However, it has come to our attention that recent appointments of Stipendiary and Associate Magistrates have been made to several courts where appointees neither graduated from the JI nor from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, or from any recognized Law School.”
BELOW IS FULL TEXT OF NATIONAL TRIAL JUDGES ASSOCIATION OF LIBERIA LETTER TO THE CHIEF JUSTICE:
September 23, 2025
His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr.
CHIEF JUSTICE
Supreme Court of Liberia
Temple of Justice
Capitol Hill
Monrovia, Liberia
May It Please Your Honor:
I present compliments of the highest esteem and write on behalf of the Leadership and Members of the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL) to extend our thanks and heartfelt appreciation to you and the Supreme Court of Liberia for the pronouncement you made on Monday, September 22, 2025 during the meeting you held with our members that are currently attending the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia in which you encouraged them to go to school so that in the event there is a vacancy at any Circuit or Specialized Court; Law School Graduates serving as Magistrates, will be promoted as Judges.
The Leadership of the NATJL is thrilled with this pronouncement because this has been one of the challenges facing a segment of the Membership of our Association, for which we advocated vigorously and we thank God that our voices have finally been heard. We are of the ardent belief that when the magistrates acquire quality legal knowledge or education, they will make better legal decisions appertaining to cases they will adjudicate in their respective courts, and by doing that, it will bring pride to the Judiciary and eventually, the public will restore trust in the judicial system of our country. So, again, we say thank you plenty.
Further, I also write with deep concern about a matter that touches the heart of our judicial training system and the integrity of the magistracy. As you are aware, the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Training Institute (JI) was established to professionally recruit, rigorously train, and qualify magistrates to serve across the Republic. Many of them underwent this demanding process and are now serving as Associate Magistrates pursuant to its mandate.
However, it has come to our attention that recent appointments of Stipendiary and Associate Magistrates have been made to several courts where appointees neither graduated from the JI nor from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, or from any recognized Law School.
This development raises a critical question: if appointments can bypass the legal recruitment and training process, then what becomes of the necessity and credibility of the Law School and the James A.A. Pierre Judicial Institute, and of those presently undergoing legal training? Such a practice risks discouraging merit-based advancement, undermining the essence of attending a Law School and the professional magistrates training program, and opening the door for political influence to overshadow judicial independence.
Sir, I am confident that the recent appointment of non-lawyers and non-PMTP graduates as Stipendiary and Associate Magistrates does not reflect the intent of His Excellency President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., who has consistently demonstrated appreciation for the rule of law and the importance of judicial training. Hence, I respectfully appeal that you bring this matter to the attention of President Boakai so that the necessary actions may be instituted to safeguard the integrity and independence of the Judiciary and public confidence in our courts.
I anticipate your timely intervention in this matter so that this situation can be adequately remedied.
Kind regards,
Judge Nancy Finda Sammy
PRESIDENT
NATJL
Below is the list of some individuals appointed as Associate Magistrates who are neither Law School Graduates nor PMTP Graduates:
- Rufus Kekeh– Associate Magistrate appointed to Zuolay Magisterial Cout, 8th Jud. Circuit, Nimba County;
- Wlleyon Y. Gbeisay– Associate Magistrate appointed to Paynesville Magisterial Court, 1st Jud. Circuit, Montserrado County;
- Joseph K. K. Fallah– Associate Magistrate appointed to Gbar Magisterial Court, 11th Jud. Circuit, Bomi County;
- Windell Miller– Associate Magistrate appointed to Edina Magisterial Court, 2nd Jud. Circuit, Grand Bassa County;
- Aaron Morgan Tokpah– Associate Magistrate appointed to Bopolu City Magisterial Court; 11th Jud. Circuit, Bomi County
- Jarty Barclay– Associate Magistrate appointed to Kongbor Magisteria Court, 16th Jud. Circuit, Gbarpolu County;
- Aquoi Kennedy– Associate Magistrate appointed to Kongbor Magisterial Court, 16th Jud. Circuit, Gbarpolu County; and
- Harris M. Boakai– Associate Magistrate appointed to Voinjama City Magisterial Court, 10th Jud. Circuit, Lofa County.