Political commentator Keff Hassan has criticized President Joseph Boakai’s nomination of Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay to the position of Chief Justice of Liberia, labeling it a “pay-to-play” nomination. On June 30, President Boakai nominated Justice Gbeisay to replace retired Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh, describing him as a “distinguished jurist” with “exemplary integrity” and “profound legal acumen.”
However, Hassan alleged in a viral Facebook post that Justice Gbeisay’s nomination is a result of a quid pro quo arrangement. According to Hassan, Justice Gbeisay had initially aligned with his colleagues in a landmark case involving Speaker Jonathan Fonati Koffa but later issued a dissenting opinion, which Hassan implies was in exchange for the nomination.
Hassan wrote: “Associate Justice Yamie Gbeisay was the first to explain that the Koffa bloc won the case. The majority bloc called him “liquor talk” after meeting with Joseph Boakai and being promised the position, he voted against #pay-to-play”.
It has been reported that President Boakai’s legal advisors and a team of lawyers objected to Justice Gbeisay’s nomination, citing concerns about his qualifications and potential for corruption. However, the President reportedly argued that he was returning a favor to Justice Gbeisay for his dissenting opinion in the recent landmark case.
Justice Gbeisay’s initial legal opinion on the Speaker crisis aligned with his colleagues on the Supreme Court bench, as evident from the December 6, 2024, opinion. In this opinion, the court unanimously declared that the actions taken by the majority bloc in the House of Representatives, led by Representative Richard Koon, were “ultra vires,” meaning they exceeded their legal authority. The court further stated that any legislative sittings or actions not in conformity with Articles 33 and 49 of the Constitution would be considered ultra vires and null and void.
Nominee Gbeisay also hinted at Senator Prince Y. Johnson’s funeral that the Supreme Court would boycott the President’s annual address to maintain the court’s neutrality and avoid sitting under the gavel of an illegitimate Speaker. At the funeral, he emphasized the Court’s commitment to neutrality, particularly in politically charged situations. He stated that the judiciary, as a technical and neutral arm of government, would take a “tactical” approach, avoiding involvement in national and political concerns where possible. This approach, he explained, would enable the Supreme Court to maintain quorum and be prepared to address any legal issues that may arise. As he had stated, the Supreme Court did boycott the President’s annual address.
Shockingly, Justice Gbeisay later issued a dissenting opinion in the same case when a bill of information was filed by Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa. Some political pundits also agreed with Keff Hassan that President Boakai’s nomination of Justice Gbeisay as Chief Justice is a reward for his dissenting opinion as earlier promised him.
