IPNEWS: ——AS Nervousness over quest for Associate Justice Seat CLOUD DIMISSAL

IPNEWS: As reported earlier of an imminent shakeup at the Supreme court of Liberia, the authoritative Independent Probe can confirm that Chief Justice Youh has received several appointments and reappointment letters of magistrates and stipendiary Magistrates for various courts across the country.

Prior to this move by president Bakai, chief Justice Youh had complained of reluctance by President Boakai to make appointments since a list of potential Magistrates and stipendiary magistrates were submitted to the president’s office in April 2024 for possible appointments.

BUT IN THE WAKE OF THOSE APPOINTMENTs BY THE Liberian President, some aggrieved magistrates and stipendiary mersisters have voiced out their concerns over the APPOINTMENTs and the manner their names were removed

One of those aggrieved  is Cllr. John Lafayette Griggs, stipendiary Magistrate, Bushrod Island Magisterial court who has alarmed over a perceived witch-hunt of  some members of the Supreme court over his recent move to contest for the seat of Associate Justice of the supreme court when it began apparent for a vacancy.

Magistrate Giggs tells the authoritative Independent Probe that he feels watch hutted due to his recent open quest for the office of Associate Justice in 2024.

Griggs states that he feels speciously watch hunted by some member of the supreme court who are now using the appointment power to unjustifiably remove him from office!!

Meanwhile, report reaching the AUTHORITATIVE Impendent PROBE states that Cllr. John Lafayette Griggs have been removed as stipendiary Magistrate, Bushrod Island Magisterial court by the Supreme court of Liberia.

According to Cllr. Lafayette Griggs, he is being dismissed from his office as stipendiary Magistrate, Bushrod Island Magisterial court, for no cause but merely precedence that His removal from office is on grounds that His excellency Joseph Nyumah Boakai has merely not re-appointed him as Stipendiary Magistrate, even though without cause for his removal.

“This is an attempt to use the name of the president to do the wrong things. When contrary, this magistrate had served with distinction and is currently serving at the very recent placement or assignment by the very supreme court.” So, the questions are; 

What has Cllr. Magistrate Griggs done for the judiciary to have had his name withheld or removed from the list of serving magistrates for reappointments? What has he done not to be re-appointed, when other magistrates very recent from suspension on ethical breaches have been advanced for reappointment and reappointed? Is this an attempt to silence the generational change in the judiciary has anticipated by the president in every sector of government?

It may be recalled, Cllr. Griggs became the most single qualify and competent youthful contender for the then post of Association Justice. stepping on toes of so many elites.  This has to stop! If the judiciary and governance system is to become better!! Mr. President must be reminded that there’s witch hunt of actively serving magistrate in good behavior being effectively dismissed at the judiciary under the pretends that it’s you that are dismissing them.

“Trust me, we will go to the bottom of this! This one, nobody! Aspiring for a higher post within one’s work sector should be seen as a crime and this is the judiciary that must be upholding the rules of law by firmed interpretation.

-As Imminent reshuffled to hit Supreme Court

A significant reshuffle within the magisterial courts of the Judiciary appears to be imminent, including and planned reshuffled by President Joseph Boakai reportedly set to get underway shortly affecting he Supreme court of Liberia.

The planned reshuffle, is expected to hit four counties, including Montserrado, Gbarpolu, Bomi, and Grand Cape Mount according to reports within the corridor of the supreme court of Liberia .

This decision follows a request from Justice Yuoh following concerns raised at the Liberia National Bar Association convention in Ganta, Nimba County in December 2024 , over delays in renewing the appointments of Stipendiary and Associate Magistrates whose tenures had expired, stressing the potential impact on citizens seeking timely justice.

According to Justice Youh, the president’s reluctance is causing a sense of insecurity which, if not addressed urgency could potentially delay the expeditiously hearing of the complaints of citizens who have gone to the court in search of justice. 

The New Judiciary Law grants the President the responsibility to appoint and reappoint Stipendiary Magistrates based on their performance.

For the efficient functioning of the magisterial courts, Section 7.5 of the New Judiciary Law, gives the President of Liberia the responsibility to appoint a stipendiary magistrates, to hold office for a period of four years, and could be reappointed based on good record.

Justice Yuoh highlighted that her office has possessed a list of eligible magistrates for reappointment since April 2024, emphasizing the importance of the magistrates delivering justice transparently and expeditiously.

The apparent delay in revisiting these appointments appears to be a cause for concern, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the judiciary and exacerbating public perception.

According to her, the Supreme Court is vested with the constitutional authority to administer the law transparently, expeditiously, and fearlessly to all citizens and residents alike.

“We hope this will inspire our magistrates to perform at their best, in the administration of justice in their respective jurisdictions,” she noted. 

Yuoh’s public disclosure then  points to the fact that they are dissatisfied with the President’s office because their listing has either fallen on deaf ears, or has gone unnoticed, which may likely undermine access to justice, and bring the already overburdened Judiciary to public disrepute.

It is widely believed that the judiciary is the most corrupt of the three branches of Government. However, the prevailing circumstances where the magistrates cannot determine whether they will be reappointed or not, paints a negative picture of the magisterial courts in the eyes of the public.

The Section 7.5 says, “The President shall appoint for each magisterial court, a Stipendiary Magistrate, who shall act as chief magistrate of the court, and such associate stipendiary magistrates for each court as he deems necessary and expedient to dispose of the judicial business within the magisterial area covered by each court.”

It continues, “A stipendiary magistrate shall hold office for a period of four years and shall be eligible for reappointment; but he or she may be removed from office by the President, for a cause established and based on an investigation conducted by the Judiciary Inquiry Commission.”  

Judges and magistrates are the Judiciary’s frontliners. They form the base of the pyramid, so to speak, and the foundation of the structure of the Judiciary.

The strength of the Judiciary lies on the first and second level courts; and they are the base of the pyramid and the strength of the pyramid lies on its base.  If the base is weak, expect that those in the upper levels will collapse, hence the imperative of the President’s office to ensure that magistrates, whose appointments have expired, to be immediately renewed

The roles of the magistrates are essential in upholding justice at the grassroots level, and any uncertainties regarding their reappointment could taint the judiciary’s reputation. As judges and magistrates form the foundation of the Judiciary, the timely renewal of their appointments is crucial to maintaining the judiciary’s integrity and efficiency. The adherence to Section 7.5 of the New Judiciary Law is essential in ensuring the seamless functioning of the magisterial courts and upholding the rule of law in Liberia.

—-Victim Alleges