MONROVIA – The Senate has unanimously confirmed Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay as the new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Justice Gbeisay confirmation came after appearing before the Senate on Monday, July 14, for cross examination to justify if he was the right man for the top job in the Liberian Judiciary.
The Justice’s confirmation accumulated 24 votes with none abstained and none against.
The Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, who serves as Senator of Grand Bassa County, has instructed Secretary of the Senate to communicate the decision to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for onward action.
Justice Gbeisay when commissioned by President Boakai will replace former Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh, who retired in June of this year. Her retirement is in accordance with Article 72(b) of the 1986 Liberia Constitution that calls for Chief Justices to retire at 70 years.
The outcome of this process is poised to shape the future of justice in Liberia as the nation prepares for significant electoral challenges ahead.
Senate Cross-Examines Chief Justice-Designate Yamie Gbeisay Amidst Controversial Questions
When he appeared before the Senate on July 14, 2025 for confirmation hearing held by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition, the then Chief Justice-designate Yamie Gbeisay faced intense scrutiny from senators, particularly from members of the Judiciary Committee, who delved into his judicial philosophy and past rulings.
The hearing was to evaluate Gbeisay’s qualifications for the nation’s highest court, and was marked by probing questions that raised critical issues about the state of the Justice System in Liberia.
A ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Abraham Darius Dillon of Montserrado County, was at the forefront of the grilling, interrogation and questioning Gbeisay’s consistency in his judicial approaches.
Dillon specifically highlighted Gbeisay’s dissenting opinion during the House of Representatives’ leadership crisis, pointing out the contradiction between that stance and his previously held views.
That line of questioning reflected ongoing concerns regarding judicial integrity and consistency.
Moreover, Senator Dillon raised alarms about the delayed response from the Supreme Court concerning writs of prohibition, citing the notable case of Assets Recovery vs. Gracious Ride as a case study of inefficiency that has sparked frustration among citizens.
He pressed Gbeisay concerning backlog of unresolved land disputes, underscoring the urgent need for judicial reforms that would enhance the efficiency of adjudication and restore public confidence in the land Justice System.
Adding to the Senate’s critical discourse, Senator Nathaniel McGill, Chairman of the CDC Legislative Caucus, posed a provocative question concerning the Supreme Court’s potential role in a future electoral conflict.
Referencing hypothetical scenarios where a sitting president refuses to concede after a loss, McGill inquired whether the Supreme Court would engage in such politically charged disputes or sidestep involvement citing political conflict.
This question has ignited public interest, with speculation about its implications as Liberia approaches the 2029 elections. Observers are left to ponder whether McGill’s inquiry stems from political calculations or genuine concerns about the stability of Liberia’s democratic processes.
As the confirmation process continued, the scrutiny surrounding Chief Justice-designate Gbeisay sheds light on broader issues within the Liberian judicial system, with implications for governance and public trust that extend far beyond the hearing room.
Chief Justice-Designate Gbeisay Wants 1986 Constitution Reviewed
It can be recalled when the confirmed Chief Justice then as an Associate Justice appeared before the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Claims and Petition on Monday, July 14, 2025, one of the key points Associate Justice Gbeisay struck was his call for a review of the 1986 Liberia Constitution to suit current realities and happenings in the Republic of Liberia.
The incoming Chief Justice, who is now an outgoing Associate Justice at the Supreme Court, was on June 30th, 2025 nominated to the position by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.
Speaking furhter, he maintained that the Constitution must be reviewed to ensure that it is in conformity with present day realities.
He noted that delay over the revision of the Liberia Constitution now constrains the court to render its opinions in line with the intent of the framers of the 1986 Constitution. He stated that no ruling from the court should go contrary to the intent of the framers of the constitution in the absence of it (constitution) review process.
Justice Gbeisay maintained that there is an “immediate need” for the revision of that sacred document. “We should go back to the constitution; identify those issues that are not in conformity with contemporary realities; find out those issues and address them.”
Boakai Picks New Chief Justice from Within, Despite Concerns
True to public speculation, an Executive Mansion press released on Monday, June 30, confirmed that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai nominated Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate. The President’s pick was from within his “circle.”
The nomination was made in accordance with Article 54(c) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, which grants the President the authority to appoint the Chief Justice and others. Additionally, the nomination aligns with Article 72(b) of the Constitution, which mandates retirement of Justices upon reaching the age of 70.
In a nomination letter addressed to the Senate, President Boakai described Justice Gbeisay as a “distinguished jurist [who] has demonstrated exemplary integrity, profound legal acumen, and commitment to upholding the rule of law and the Constitution.”
President Boakai then called on the Senate to “expeditiously consider and confirm this nomination.”
Justice Gbeisay’s appointment, now that he is confirmed, will mark a continuation of his longstanding judicial service and dedication to the Liberian legal system.
Who Is Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay?
Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. was born unto the union of Mr. Henry P. Quiqui and Madam Yah Domah, on May 3, 1959, in Gompa (Ganta) City, Nimba County.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Justice Gbeisay obtained his high school education and diploma from the Dolo Memorial High School, Sanniquellie City, Nimba County in 1979, and subsequent to that a “B” certificate in Language Art and Social Studies from the Kakata Rural Teacher’s Training Institute (KRTTI), Kakata City, Margibi County in 1983. Thereafter, he enrolled at the University of Liberia (UL), in pursuit of further tertiary education where he graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in History and Public Administration.
Justice Gbeisay enrolled at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, where he was trained as a lawyer and obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree in 1998 and was subsequently admitted into the Liberia National Bar Association as an Attorney-At-Law in 1998. His Honor was also admitted as Counsellor-At-Law of the Supreme Court Bar in 2002.
PUBLIC & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Mr. Justice Gbeisay began his private legal practice as Managing Partner at the Tiala Law Associates Inc. from 2005 – 2009 at which time he returned to national service as Legal Consultant, Ministry of Justice [MOJ] under the Senior Executive Service Program of the Government of Liberia from 2009 – 2014. He then returned to his private duties as Managing Partner, Tiala Law Associates Inc. in 2014 from where he was nominated, confirmed and appointed Relieving Judge in 2015, a position he served until his recent appointment as Associate Justice of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, in October 2022.
PROFESSIONAL & SOCIAL AFFILIATION
Associate Justice Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay has been nominated as Chief Justice-designate for the Supreme Court of Liberia and head of the Judiciary
Mr. Justice Gbeisay is married, and his union is blessed with seven children. He is also a member of the United Methodist Faith.
As an Associate Justice, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has judicial oversight over: Grand Bassa County. Jurisdiction: The 2nd Judicial Circuit Court of Grand Bassa County; Nimba County. Jurisdiction: The 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Nimba; Bong County. Jurisdiction: The 9th Judicial Circuit Court of Bong and Lofa County. Jurisdiction: The 10th Judicial Circuit Court of Lofa County.
Public Speculation after President Boakai nominate Justice Gbeisay as SC Chief Justice
It can be recalled there are speculations, though they were confirmed by TLP, that President Boakai’s decision to nominate Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay as Chief Justice of the Supreme of Liberia was reportedly influenced by Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, who hails from Nimba County just as the now confirmed incoming Chief Justice.
It is said that the decision is a political decision. Note that Nimba County played a cardinal role in electing President Boakai in the 2023 Presidential Elections. Now that incoming Chief Justice Gbeisay is confirmed by the Senate, he will become the third person from Nimba County to be named Chief Justice of the Supreme Court following in the footsteps of former Chief Justices Emmanuel Gbalazeh and Francis Korkpor.
Former Chief Justice Emmanuel Gbalazeh (deceased) served at two different times as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia. In 1980, he was first nominated by the People’s Redemption Council military junta headed by Master Sergeant Samuel Kanyon Doe, and he served his first tenure from 1980 to 1986, replacing James A.A. Pierre whose reign ended as Chief Justice following the military coup of 1980. The second time Emmanuel Gbalazeh was nominated as Chief Justice again for the Supreme Court was in 1987 by President Samuel Doe, after former Chief Justice Chea Cheapoo (deceased) resigned following a beef with President Samuel Doe. Cheapoo had jailed Doe’s uncle, Judge Harper Bailey at the Monrovia Central Prison on allegation of attempting to bribe him, Cheapoo to turn the other way around involving case he, Bailey had interest in. The other Chief Justice to hail from Nimba County is Francis Korkpor, who retired in 2022 after he reached 70 years.
The incoming Chief Justice Gbeisay is 66 at the moment and in four years, he will retire having reach the constituted required age of 70.
