MONROVIA, Liberia — The Ministry of Justice (Liberia) has issued a clarification regarding ongoing proceedings before the Supreme Court of Liberia in the case involving former National Public Health Institute Director-General Dougbeh Chris Nyan, stressing that the government remains fully committed to respecting the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary.
In a statement released Friday, the Ministry said it had taken note of recent public comments made by Dr. Nyan concerning the Supreme Court proceedings related to his removal as Director-General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
The Ministry emphasized that at no time has the Government of Liberia sought to undermine or disregard the authority of the Court.
“The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, remains fully committed to the rule of law and to the constitutional authority of the Judiciary,” the statement said, adding that respect for judicial decisions and legal processes remains a cornerstone of Liberia’s constitutional democracy.
Clarification on Court Procedure
The Justice Ministry explained that the ruling referenced in recent public discussions was delivered by a Justice of the Supreme Court sitting in Chambers, a procedural step under Liberian law.
According to the Ministry, decisions rendered by a Chambers Justice are subject to review by the Full Bench of the Supreme Court. Where a party appeals a Chambers ruling, that appeal automatically operates as a stay of enforcement until the Full Bench makes a final determination.
Authorities said the Executive Branch, through its legal representatives, exercised its constitutional right to appeal the Chambers ruling to the Full Bench of the Court.
The Ministry stressed that this action should not be interpreted as defiance or refusal to comply with the judiciary.
“This step is neither an act of defiance nor a refusal to comply with the Court,” the statement noted, explaining that the appeal is a legally recognized remedy designed to ensure that matters receive full judicial consideration.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Rule of Law
The Ministry also warned that suggestions implying the government is refusing to enforce the law are misleading and do not accurately reflect the legal situation.
Officials highlighted the distinction between interim decisions issued in Chambers and final rulings rendered by the Full Bench, noting that failing to recognize this difference presents an incomplete understanding of the judicial process.
“The rule of law requires discipline, patience, and fidelity to judicial procedures,” the Ministry said.
Background to the Dispute
The legal dispute stems from the removal of Dr. Dougbeh Chris Nyan from his position as Director-General of NPHIL by the administration of Joseph Nyuma Boakai. Nyan subsequently challenged the decision before the Supreme Court, arguing that his dismissal violated legal and contractual provisions governing his appointment.
The matter has since drawn significant public attention, particularly following statements by Nyan suggesting that the government had failed to comply with a Supreme Court ruling in the case.
The Justice Ministry’s latest statement seeks to clarify that the case remains subject to review by the Full Bench of the Supreme Court, and that the government will continue to act strictly within the confines of the law.
“The integrity of Liberia’s constitutional democracy demands nothing less,” the Ministry said.
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