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Claim: A social media influencer Prophet Key alleged that the Chief Justice of Liberia Sie-A- Nyene Youh dismissed Associate Justice Caeineh Clinton Johnson after President Boakai’s appointment.
Verdict: False! Associate Justice Caeineh Cliton Johnson was not dismissed. Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Supreme Court, Zito F. Slebah said the Chief Justice doesn’t have the power to dismiss any justices on the bench of the Supreme Court.
Full Text
As Prescribed by Law, the President of the Republic of Liberia Joseph Boakai recently appointed Associate Justice Caeineh Cliton Johnson on the Supreme Court Bench. The Justice was confirmed by the Liberian Senate and Commission by President Boakai. The Supreme Court formally inducted Associate Justice Johnson on the Supreme Court Bench on Aug. 29, 2024.
The Supreme Court Bench comprises five persons, including four Associate Justices and one Chief Justice.
However, on Sep.5, 2024, a Facebook talk show host, Prophet Key, posted on his Facebook page, New Zoe Prophetkey claiming that the Chief Justice of Liberia Madam Sie-A- Nyene Youh has dismissed Associate Justice Caeineh Cliton Johnson from the Bench of the Supreme Court. According to Prophet Key, the Chief Justice has overridden the Executive’s power by dismissing Justice Caeineh without proper explanation. In his allegation, the Chief Justice is a CDCIAN and her action is in pursuit of fighting the current government.
Screenshot of the post below.
The post generated 105 reactions, 111 comments, and 1 share at the time of writing this report. There were mixed reactions to the post. Supporters of the Unity Party government aligned with Prophet Key’s claim while others disagreed. This prompted DUBAWA to initiate a fact-check.
Verification
Our Researcher contacted the Office of Communication at the Temple of Justice to authenticate the claim. Mr. Zito F. Slebah, Deputy for Public Information at the Supreme Court told DUBAWA that the Justice is on the bench of the Court. According to him, the claim is false and should not be taken seriously by the public.
“Don’t give credence to it, it is false and has no legal backing. The Chief Justice has no power to dismiss any of the Justices. Everything is about law and not feelings” he said.
Meanwhile, Chapter VII of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia prescribed offences and instances for removing a Justice. According to the Constitution, the power to remove or impeach a seated Judge is solely vested in the Legislature based on genuine and proven misconduct or breach of duty. This chapter named bribery, treason, inability to perform functions of their office, and other infamous crimes as key reasons a judge can be impeached.
“Article 71
The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and the judges of subordinate courts of record shall hold office during good behavior.
They may be removed upon impeachment and conviction by the Legislature based on proved misconduct, gross breach of duty, inability to perform the functions of their office, or conviction in a court of law for treason, bribery or other infamous crimes”
Conclusion
Based on our findings, neither the Chief Justice nor the Executive can dismiss any justice on the Supreme Court bench; therefore, the claim is false.
