IPNEWS: In an uplifting turn of events, former Deputy Director of the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), Wilmot Smith, has expressed his gratitude and joy following a significant ruling from the Civil Law Court. Recently, Smith announced that the court had restored his rights and granted his petition for a declaratory judgment regarding his unlawful termination from LISGIS.
In a heartfelt statement, Smith detailed how the judge ordered the Government of Liberia to reinstate all his rights and compensate him for lost wages from 2022 to 2025. The court decisively ruled that Smith’s dismissal was not only illegal but also fundamentally flawed from its inception.
“This is a remarkable day for justice!” he declared, emphasizing that despite the trials and tribulations he faced including allegations, conspiracy, and deceit faith in a higher power has prevailed. “They may have told their lies and conspired against me, but we have a turnaround God! His favor has finally turned everything around for my good,” he added, expressing deep gratitude for the ruling.
Smith’s situation has resonated with many in Liberia, as it highlights ongoing issues regarding employment rights and government accountability. His victory is seen as a significant step not only for his personal battle but also for the broader fight against unjust practices within public service.
As the implications of this ruling unfold, it will be important to observe how the Government of Liberia responds and whether other public employees facing similar challenges will find inspiration in Smith’s determination and legal success. His story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.
It may be recalled, in June 2024, Mr. Wilmot Smith, former deputy director general for information coordination at the Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo-Information Services (LISGIS), filed a lawsuit against the government, challenging his dismissal by former President George Weah.
In his petition for declaratory judgment filed before the Civil Law Court, Smith is seeking the endorsement of the court to compel President Joseph Boakai to reinstate him to his previous position.
According to Smith, the act by the former Liberian president was un-statutory and unconstitutional.
“The President’s action violated the Act establishing LISGIS and Article 89 of the Liberian Constitution, which gives authority to the National Legislature to establish autonomous agencies and thereby create autonomy,” the lawsuit added.
Smith was appointed by the Board of Directors of LISGIS, an authority by the Act of June 4, 2018 as deputy director.
The lawsuit claimed to “dismiss the one who occupies a position, it must be for cause, but the Act of LISGIS does not grant power to the President of Liberia to dismiss the Petitioner or the Director-General; rather, it is the Board of LISGIS.”
“The Act creating LISGIS is in line with Article 89 of the Constitution of Liberia, and this makes the Act constitutional and autonomy constitutional under Article 89 of the Liberian Constitution. For the president to claim dismissal of the Petitioner “for cause” in the absence of the due process of law is a violation of Chapter III, Article 20 of the Constitution of Liberia, especially when he exercised a power that the law does not give to him. Article 89 of the Liberia Constitution.”
He argued the standard of this provision of the Constitution, institutions or agencies created by the Legislature and given tenure status are constitutional, and removal of any official from any of these positions must be for a cause consistent with due process or removal after the tenure period expires is the only constitutional and legal means.
In his case, Smith said that the facts revealed that President Weah strictly violated the Constitution and the Act creating LISGIS. According to him, the action of the ex-president to dismiss him on grounds that his action was for cause in which he was never accorded due process of law, is a violation of the Act of LISGIS.
He said: “Sections 50A.4 (1) and (2) of the Act of LISGIS clearly state that:
Powers of the President: In keeping with the provisions of this Act, the President shall exercise such powers as follows:
1. Appoint initially the Board of Directors and Its Chairman, with the Board becoming self-appointing after that upon recommendation of the Director General; 2. Appoint a qualified Director-General initially in keeping with Section 50A.2 above. After that, the authority to make subsequent appointments shall vest in these provisions.”
Smith added the authority to initially appoint both members of the Board of LISGIS and the Director General of LISGIS from the date that the LISGIS Act was passed and creating the said institution in 2004, and all subsequent appointments of the members of the Board and Director General and Deputy Director Generals are vested in the powers of the Board of Directors of LISGIS.
“In 2004, after the passage of the LISGIS Act, it was the previous president of Liberia, Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who made such an appointment, and since that requirement of the statute of LISGIS was met, no subsequent president of Liberia has that authority to remove or dismiss the Director-General of LISGIS, the Deputy Director Generals of LISGIS, including members of the board of directors of LISGIS,” he added.
