By: Yassah J Wright
Judges of the Judiciary have dragged the Government of Liberia before the Supreme Court regarding their unpaid salaries and benefits cut by the Coalition for Democratic Change administration 2018 Salary harmonization policy.
The disclosure was made by Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay on Monday, March 9, 2026, following the formal opening of the Supreme Court March Term.
Delivering his formal address of court, Chief Justice Gbeisay reminded the Boakai administration that the unconstitutional deduction of judges’ salaries and benefits under the pretext of harmonization in 2018 remains unpaid.
“The judges’ complaint is pending before the Supreme Court, but the Court prefers to resolve this matter through cooperation and coordination among the three (3) branches of government; moreover, your government demonstrated good faith when it made a partial payment of said amount in 2024,” he stated.
Chief Justice Gbeisay at the same time extolled the Unity Party government administration for the steady upward growth in the annual budget of the Judiciary, even though he didn’t mention the figure.
However, he argued that it is an open secret that prior to President Joseph N. Boakai ascendency, the Judiciary of Liberia was allocated less than three percent (3%) of the Republic’s annual budget.
The Chief Justice further indicated that the UP-led government has so far proven its genuine interest in the rule of law, adding that It is often said that the safety of the State is the greatest law, and correspondingly, the safety of the legal profession is the greatest rule.
“The judiciary is undoubtedly the custodian of our democracy; when the law is neglected, the state is neglected,” he concluded.
On Monday, March 9, 2026, the Supreme Court official opened for business. The opening of the Court was graced by President Joseph N. Boakai, House Speaker Richard N. Koon, members of the diplomatic community, lawyers, judicial actors and other government ministers.