NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., has commissioned seventeen judicial officers, comprising two judges and fifteen court marshals, urging them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability as they serve within Liberia’s justice system.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
The commissioning ceremony took place Thursday at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia and is part of the Boakai Administration’s efforts to strengthen the rule of law under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development. The administration also views the move as part of broader judicial reforms intended to rebuild public confidence in the Judiciary.
In remarks to the newly commissioned officers, President Boakai said their appointments represent a significant investment in Liberia’s justice sector. He emphasized that their responsibilities are essential to safeguarding democracy, constitutional governance, and the rights of citizens.
The President reminded the officers that serving in the Judiciary is a matter of public trust and should not be regarded as a privilege. He said the decisions and actions of judicial officers can either reinforce or undermine citizens’ confidence in the justice system.
“The nation cannot prosper where the rule of law is weak. Investors lose confidence, citizens lose hope, criminals become emboldened, and institutions deteriorate,” President Boakai said.
According to President Boakai, a strong and independent Judiciary remains critical to Liberia’s efforts to achieve sustainable economic growth, democratic stability, and national security. He stressed that judicial independence must go hand in hand with responsibility, professionalism, integrity, and loyalty to the Constitution.
President Boakai also disclosed that he had held discussions with the Chief Justice regarding ongoing reforms within the Judiciary. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that Liberians can access courts that handle cases promptly, apply the law fairly, and administer justice without fear or favor.
“The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they must never turn so slowly that our courts become revolving doors through which criminals repeatedly pass without consequence,” he cautioned.
Turning to the newly appointed judges, President Boakai encouraged them to assess their effectiveness beyond the number of cases they resolve. Instead, he urged them to consider the level of trust and confidence their decisions generate among the Liberian people.
The President also instructed the court marshals to discharge their responsibilities with discipline, professionalism, restraint, and respect for the constitutional rights and dignity of every citizen.
President Boakai further underscored the distinct constitutional responsibilities of Liberia’s three branches of government. He noted that while the Executive provides leadership and the Legislature enacts laws, the Judiciary is responsible for independently and fairly interpreting and applying those laws.
He congratulated the seventeen newly commissioned judicial officers and expressed hope that Liberia would become stronger and more prosperous as each branch of government faithfully carries out its constitutional responsibilities.
Newly Commissioned Judicial Officers
Judges
- Judge Nelson B. Chineh – Resident Circuit Judge, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, River Gee County
- Cllr. Tarlo Wehyee – Labor Court Judge, Nimba County
Court Marshals
- Emmanuel T. Nyenkan – Marshal of the Supreme Court of Liberia
- Blessing Jebbeh Morris – Deputy Marshal, Montserrado County
- Jerry T. McIntosh – Deputy Marshal, Second Judicial Circuit, Grand Bassa County
- Peter M. Weagba – Deputy Marshal, Third Judicial Circuit, Sinoe County
- Advester Collor, Jr. – Deputy Marshal, Fourth Judicial Circuit, Maryland County
- Momodu Massaquoi – Deputy Marshal, Fifth Judicial Circuit, Grand Cape Mount County
- Bill Alonzo Gartor – Deputy Marshal, Seventh Judicial Circuit, Grand Gedeh County
- Nathan P. Suah – Deputy Marshal, Eighth Judicial Circuit, Nimba County
- Abraham O. Kollie, Jr. – Deputy Marshal, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Bong County
- John F. Powoe – Deputy Marshal, Tenth Judicial Circuit, Lofa County
- Nimely Weah – Deputy Marshal, Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Bomi County
- Robert B. Toe – Deputy Marshal, Twelfth Judicial Circuit, Grand Kru County
- Henry K. Eric – Deputy Marshal, Thirteenth Judicial Circuit, Margibi County
- Jefferson S. Saydee – Deputy Marshal, Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, River Cess County
- Toweah Geegbeh – Deputy Marshal, Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, River Gee County
- Saymon P. Fahnbulleh – Deputy Marshal, Sixteenth Judicial Circuit, Gbarpolu County
