By Lincoln G. Peters
MONROVIA, October 12, 2026 — Liberia’s Assistant Minister of Labor, Emmanuel K. Barnes, has called for the resignation or impeachment of Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr., accusing him of abusing his authority and undermining the dignity of the country’s highest judicial office.
Barnes made the call in a Facebook post on Monday, October 12, shortly after the Chief Justice criticized the appointment of Mark Jabateh to a ministerial position and raised concerns about alleged corruption within Liberia’s jury system.
The Assistant Minister argued that Gbeisay’s public statements, including his proposal to abolish jury trials, raise serious questions about his leadership and exercise of judicial authority.
“The Chief Justice should by now tender in his resignation, after admitting that his leadership that presides over jury management is susceptible to bribe,” Barnes stated.
He also accused the Chief Justice of publicly making allegations against citizens and subsequently using his judicial authority against them.
“But again, this is the same CJ who will call on a talk show and levy accusations on a citizen, and then instruct his magistrate to jail the same person he accused,” Barnes alleged.
Barnes further criticized Gbeisay for questioning President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s constitutional authority to appoint officials to government positions.
“Mr. Justice Gbeisay is the same man who will question the President’s constitutional power to appoint,” he argued.
The criticism followed remarks by Chief Justice Gbeisay during the formal opening of the Supreme Court’s October Term at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia.
During the ceremony, Gbeisay expressed concern over alleged jury tampering and bribery, suggesting reforms to address corruption and strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice.
He also questioned the government’s decision to appoint Mark Jabateh, whom he accused of previously making threats against former Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor during a land dispute in Nimba County.
However, Barnes described the Chief Justice’s conduct as inappropriate for the head of the Judiciary, arguing that his public pronouncements risk diminishing respect for the institution.
“In simple terms, he’s fast turning the sacred office of the Chief Justice into one that is nothing more than a laughingstock,” Barnes declared.
The Assistant Minister said that if he were a member of the House of Representatives, he would initiate impeachment proceedings against Gbeisay.
“If I were a member of the House of Representatives, a bill of impeachment will be on the floor of plenary tomorrow,” he stated.
Barnes also criticized the representation of Montserrado County District #14, accusing its lawmaker of failing to effectively perform his legislative responsibilities.
The Assistant Minister’s remarks add to the public disagreement surrounding the Chief Justice’s statements on judicial reform, enforcement of court judgments and executive appointments.
Under Liberia’s constitutional framework, impeachment proceedings against a Chief Justice must originate in the House of Representatives, with the Senate responsible for conducting the trial.
Barnes’ statement represents a call for impeachment rather than the initiation of formal proceedings against the Chief Justice.
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