A recent review conducted by the Civil Service Agency (CSA) has exposed significant shortcomings in personnel and payroll practices within the Montserrado County arm of the Judiciary.
The findings, presented by CSA Director-General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai, Jr. at the Temple of Justice, highlight widespread inefficiencies and irregularities that could undermine public confidence in the country’s justice system.
The week-long verification exercise, initiated following a formal request from Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., examined 674 Judiciary employees, representing roughly a third of the national judicial workforce of 2,048.
The audit focused on major judicial facilities, including the Supreme Court, Paynesville Magisterial Court, and Gardnersville Magisterial Court.
The CSA report revealed a pattern of absenteeism, with many employees not complying with attendance requirements.
Some staff are likely to face salary deductions for short absences, while others could be suspended or dismissed for prolonged absenteeism. Overall, more than a third of verified employees showed violations related to attendance, underscoring a breakdown in workplace discipline.
Concerns also emerged regarding academic qualifications. While the majority of employees had valid credentials, some presented documents that are under review, and several lacked formal qualifications entirely.
Others held only high school diplomas, pointing to weaknesses in recruitment practices and raising questions about staff competence.
The audit further identified improper job assignments, with numerous employees working in roles for which they were underqualified. Only a portion of staff were appropriately matched to their roles based on academic and professional qualifications.
Payroll irregularities were another major concern. The CSA discovered a dual payroll system, with one payroll managed under legal frameworks subject to taxation, and another operated independently by the Judiciary, which is non-taxable and unlawful. This system undermines fiscal transparency and accountability.
Workforce composition also revealed notable challenges. The Judiciary is heavily male-dominated, and a significant portion of employees are nearing or have reached retirement age, signaling a potential future human capital gap that demands proactive succession planning.
The audit process faced additional hurdles, including disorganized or incomplete personnel files, resistance toward CSA teams, and a lack of modern systems for tracking attendance and HR data.
To address these challenges, the CSA recommended unifying all Judiciary staff under the legal payroll framework, verifying employee credentials, realigning job assignments to match qualifications, enforcing attendance regulations through electronic tracking, investing in human capital through training and performance-based promotions, and modernizing HR systems to prevent fraud and duplication.
Dr. Joekai praised the Judiciary for initiating the audit and confirmed that CSA plans to extend verification to the remaining counties. “This audit marks a critical first step in building a more transparent and efficient Judiciary,” he said.
“If the recommendations are fully implemented, the public can expect a system that is not only accountable but also staffed by qualified professionals.”
The report has already drawn attention from stakeholders in the legal and public service sectors, many of whom believe that implementing CSA’s recommendations could usher in a new era of professionalism and integrity in Liberia’s justice system.
