“. . . we not hesitate to dismiss magistrates, judges and judicial staffs, who would be found in ‘ethical transgressions,” C.J. Gbeisay.
Chief Justice, His Honor Yamie QuiQui Gbeisay, has officially dedicated three newly constructed magisterial courts in Montserrado County.
In his charged, Gbeisay resounded caveats, with reservation, and mass dismissal threat against magistrates, judges and judicial staffs, who would be in ‘ethical transgressions.’
The three magisterial courts, which the Chief Justice dedicated along with Associate Justice Yufu D. Kabah, are the refurbished Paynesville Magisterial Court, valued at US$90,000, the newly constructed Gardnersville, and the Brewerville Magisterial courts at the separate amount of US$34, each, bringing the accumulated amount to US$580,000.
The dedication ceremony was held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the various magisterial courts.
The cutting of ribbons and official turnover ceremony was performed by the Court Administrator, William B. Kollie, Sr.
Cllr. Kollie turned the keys over to Chief Justice Gbeisay for onward presentation to the presiding magistrates.
In a special remark following the cutting of the ribbons, Gbeisay, warned the magistrates, judges and judicial workers that there is a new dispensation under his watch, dismissing corruption, unethical standards and commercialization of the courts.
“Some of our personnel have commercialized the judiciary, thereby making citizens to run away from the court and the rule of law. This must come to an end. I have just spent about two weeks on the Bench; I have dismissed, and suspended three personnel. If you are caught in judicial malpractices and unethical behaviors, my team will have no mercy on any offender. We will investigate every cataloged concern, and reported, but we will have no compassion. This is the kind of thing we want to see, standard and ethic.”
Gbeisay said to ensure that magistrates, judges, and judicial workers adhere to ethical standards, his team has established a judicial monitoring, evaluation and accountability (MEA) Committee.
The work of the Committee would investigate, monitor and report non-compliance workers for judicial actions.
Chief Justice Gbeisay further indicated that there are forum and ethical committees for judges, magistrates, and lawyers that would investigate those that transgressed.
Therefore, he noted: “The new committee will have telephone numbers printed, and placed on all the courts to report unethical behavior of judicial workers without coming to the Supreme Court.”
This, Justice Gbeisay believes, will improve compliance, ethical standards, check and balance.
He meanwhile, expressed appreciation to his predecessor Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, for the vision, and thanked President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the support regarding the acceptance of the Judicial Autonomous Act.
To the magistrates: We are aware that a good working environment contributes to effectiveness and efficiencies. This is a place of law; the building itself should be a place where the law sit. I can tell you without contradiction that your offices are better than my office, and that of Associates Justice Kaba, because it was constructed in the 60s. So, we want the best from you or we will take action. No more selling sheets, and commercializing the court.”