MONROVIA – Outgoing President George Manneh Weah has nominated current Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musa Dean to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia. President Weah made the appointment with less than one month left for his administration to expire.
Since the appointment of Cllr. Dean, there have been a series of controversies in the opposition community and among critics of the outgoing government.
While some are criticizing and condemning Dean’s appointment, another group of Liberians supports his appointment, describing it as a constitutional right that every Liberian should enjoy.
“Cllr. Musa Dean is a Liberian, and the constitution gives him the right to work for his country. He is qualified for the job; why should people keep fighting for their own selfish gains,” says Moses Kromah, spokesperson for a group of Liberians supporting the appointment of Cllr. Dean.
Moses is among hundreds of Liberians commending President Weah for Cllr. Dean’s appointment, describing the Justice Minister as a seasoned lawyer qualified for the job.
“Yes, he is a seasoned lawyer and a Liberian. Whoever has personal issues with Dean should take it up with him personally and stop reducing our country to such. The Republic has no issues with Cllr. Dean, so why are people, especially critics of the government and haters of the Minister, running negative propaganda against this young man,” he adds.
Another Liberian, Cathrina Momo, supports the appointment of Cllr. Dean, calling on the legislature to conduct the confirmation hearing and confirm Cllr. Dean as Associate Justice at the Supreme Court.
“I am calling on the legislature, mainly the Liberian Senate, to conduct a constitutional and unbiased hearing for Cllr. Dean. Let’s stop this crab mentality and move our country forward,” she notes.
Since Associate Justice Joseph N. L. Nagbe announced his retirement, President George Weah conducted a rigorous process to identify his replacement.
In nominating Cllr. Dean to the Supreme Court Bench, the Liberian Leader said he harbors no doubt about the Attorney General’s ability to perform as expected of a high court jurist.
President Weah said Cllr. Dean has demonstrated a high degree of professionalism not just in the execution of his duties as Minister of Justice but also earned the respect of his peers over the years as an astute lawyer.
According to the Executive Mansion, President Weah sought a candidate with exceptional credentials, unimpeachable character, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law.
It is being reported that President Weah sought an individual committed to equal justice under the law and who understands the profound impact that the Supreme Court’s decisions have on the lives of the Liberian people, as provided by Article 68 of the 1986 Constitution.
The article states that “The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court shall, with the consent of the Senate, be appointed and commissioned by the President; provided that any person so appointed shall be:
(a) A citizen of Liberia and of good moral character; and
(b) A counselor of the Supreme Court Bar who has practiced for at least 5 years.
That is why the President nominated Justice Minister and Attorney General Counsel Frank Musah Dean Jr to serve as the next Justice on the Supreme Court.
The question remains: does Cllr. Dean possess such credentials?
Cllr. Dean is one of our nation’s brightest legal minds and has an unusual breadth of experience in our legal system. He has served for the last 34 years, giving him the perspective to be an exceptional Justice.
About Cllr. Musah Dean and the Supreme Court:
In 1992, Cllr. Dean gained admission to the Supreme Court Bar as Counsellor-At-Law after practicing law in the country for five years.
In 1988, he also gained admission to the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), which gives him the right to practice law before courts throughout the Republic of Liberia, excluding practices before the Supreme Court.
From 2018 to the present, and as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, he is the Dean of the Honorable Supreme Court Bar.
Role as Attorney General and Minister of Justice:
Cllr. Dean is the legal advisor to the government and furnishes opinions on legal matters. He renders services requiring legal skills to the president and other agencies of the Executive Branch of the Government. He also has supervision over all security apparatuses.
On two separate occasions (September 17, 2022, to September 23, 2022, and November 1, 2022, to December 18, 2022), Cllr. Dean served as Acting Chair of the Cabinet while President George Weah was on official duty outside of the country.
Achievements as Attorney General and Minister of Justice:
Consistent with the Executive law of 1972, Title 12, section 22.2 of the Liberian code of laws, revised on June 9, 1972, he executed policy strategy and formulation of legislation, improved institutional capacity for effective service delivery, and ensured the delivery of the PAPD pillar 3 deliverables and interventions. He has introduced reforms in justice and the rule of law, enhanced security, justice, and public safety, and ensured compliance with treaties, contracts, bilateral agreements, and other applicable domestic and international laws, as well as the finalization of strategic plans, proposed amendments to the criminal procedure law, and reactivation of the civilian complaints review board and policy management board for the Liberian National Police (LNP) and the Liberian Immigration Service (LIS).