By Yassah J. Wright
Chief Justice, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, has termed the over crowdedness at the Monrovia Central Prison (MCP), South Beach, as “unrealistic and troublesome.”
Gbeisay also raises an alarm against the backdrop as government is fighting crimes, while the High Court dockets contains 480 cases to dispose of in the October Term.
In his statement at the formal opening of the October Term on Monday, October 13, 2025, Chief Justice Gbeisay disclosed that during the March 2025 Term of Court, the Supreme Court Bench, “successfully handed down 57 opinions of cases (some of which) have been on the dockets for so long.
“Currently, this Court has 480 cases on its docket, out of the which, 41 were filed during the last Term of Court. Our motion calendar stands at Seven, while seven bills of information are pending before the Court. In line with this Court current policy, these bills of information will be examined by the Full Bench to determine whether or not, they have merit to warrant the issuance of the writs prayed for,” said Chief Justice Gbeisay.
In a related development, Gbeisaye said the Minister of Justice N. Oswald Tweah, on September 24, 2025, met with him and strategize the over-crowdedness of the MCP.
When we met, we discussed temporary solutions, but Tweah reminded me that the country population stands at five million plus.
“So, to have a prison facility of an entire country not exceeding 1,350, is unrealistic, especially, considering that this government is fighting crimes; to include drugs, corruption, etc. I further reminded the Justice Ministry official that we are a post war country, and most of the young adults, today were born or grew up in violent environment, therefore, it will require time to reduce our crime rate.” Chief Justice Gbeisay noted.
He had earlier pleaded with Minister Tweah realize that the construction of prison or correctional facilities is part of development, and contributes to peace and security.
“The lack of adequate prison facilities in the country is troublesome,” he added.
The program was graced by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Justice Minister, N. Oswald Tweah, House Speaker Richard N. Koon and members of the Senate.