Monrovia – The recent appointment of Caeineh Clinton-Johnson as Associate Justice by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and her swift confirmation by the Liberian Senate, initially symbolized a shift towards female dominance within the Supreme Court.
By Willie N. Tokpah, [email protected]
However, this promising narrative has been abruptly disrupted following the unexpected removal of Justice Clinton-Johnson as Justice in Chambers by Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh.
This decision marks the quickest removal of a Justice in Chambers in the Judiciary’s history, raising significant concerns within the legal community.
The reasons behind Chief Justice Yuoh’s sudden decision remain unclear, leaving many in the legal field puzzled.
The announcement came on September 3, just a week after Justice Clinton-Johnson was appointed to the position on August 29 during the closing of the March Term of Court. Chief Justice Yuoh has since appointed Justice Yamie Gbeisay to replace Justice Clinton-Johnson for the October Term.
To date, Chief Justice Yuoh has not provided an official explanation for her decision. However, sources close to the Judiciary suggest that the Chief Justice has asserted her right to make such appointments and removals at her discretion.
While Chapter 2, Section 2.6 of the Judicial Law grants the Chief Justice the authority to appoint the Associate Justice-in-Chambers, it has been hinted that Chief Justice Yuoh may have reservations about Justice Clinton-Johnson’s suitability for the role. Sources indicate that it is customary for a newly appointed Justice to serve as Secretary to the Chief Justice, a role that would typically include the Justice-in-Chambers position.
Moreover, there are speculations that Chief Justice Yuoh is uncomfortable with Justice Clinton-Johnson’s appointment, suspecting that she was placed on the bench to serve as an ally of President Boakai. There are also concerns that the Chief Justice doubts Justice Clinton-Johnson’s ability to perform adequately in the role, prompting the swift replacement with Justice Gbeisay.
The rapid removal of Justice Clinton-Johnson has sent shockwaves through the public, marking her as the shortest-serving Justice in Chambers to date, having held the position for just one week.
Before her elevation to the Supreme Court, Justice Clinton-Johnson held various legal positions. She previously served as the Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Margibi County during the February Term of Court. From 2006 to 2007, she was the Deputy Minister of Public Safety at the Ministry of Justice before being appointed as a judge.
President Boakai’s decision to appoint Justice Clinton-Johnson was seen as an effort to close the gender gap and reduce male dominance on the Supreme Court Bench. However, her tenure has not been without controversy.
FrontPage Africa reported that Justice Clinton-Johnson has had a contentious relationship with the media, often clashing with journalists covering the Temple of Justice.
She has been described as “belligerent,” frequently ordering reporters out of her courtroom during significant cases. One journalist, who requested anonymity, recounted instances where she demanded the removal of reporters from the courtroom.
Additionally, Justice Clinton-Johnson has been criticized for her handling of cases in lower courts. In July 2022, the New Republic reported an incident where she was accused of juror tampering during a case she presided over.
The report alleged that she dismissed jurors without allowing them to confirm their verdict in open court, which led to a motion for a new trial by the defense counsel.
Despite these controversies, Justice Clinton-Johnson is known for her tough stance on major court decisions. In August 2018, she summoned then-Margibi County District One Representative Tibelrosa Tarponweh for contempt of court, demonstrating her no-nonsense approach.
While serving at the Rape Court, Justice Clinton-Johnson gained attention for dismissing several rape cases due to a lack of evidence, often criticizing the prosecution for presenting weak cases.
This latest development has left many questioning the dynamics within the Supreme Court and the implications for the judiciary under Chief Justice Yuoh’s leadership.
