MONROVIA — The Nimba County Legislative Caucus has formally petitioned President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to uphold and enforce the landmark judgment issued by the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice on November 10, 2020, regarding the reinstatement of former Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh.
By Lennart Dodoo
The Caucus, representing Nimba County where Justice Ja’neh originates from, reiterated the importance of respecting the ECOWAS Court’s ruling, which includes reinstating Justice Ja’neh to his rightful position at the Supreme Court, restoring his entitlements, and providing compensation for moral prejudice suffered.
“We, the Nimba County Legislative Caucus, write to officially remind Your Excellency of the matter of former (impeached) Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, His Honor Kabineh M. Ja’neh, and to most respectfully urge your administration to enforce the November 10, 2020 Judgment of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice,” the Caucus stated.
The case traces back to 2018 when a petition for the impeachment of Justice Ja’neh was presented to the House of Representatives by Honorable Thomas P. Fallah and Honorable Acarous M. Gray. Despite a stay order issued by the Supreme Court, Justice Ja’neh was impeached by the Liberian Senate on allegations including theft of records and improper handling of cases.
Following his removal, Justice Ja’neh sought justice at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, which ruled in his favor, declaring his impeachment as a violation of his fundamental rights to due process and a fair trial. The Court’s judgment mandated Liberia to reinstate Justice Ja’neh, compensate for financial losses, and submit a report on implementation within six months.
Despite the clear directives from the ECOWAS Court, the previous administration under President George Manneh Weah failed to comply with the ruling until their term ended in January 2024. This failure to act has left Justice Ja’neh in limbo for over five years since his removal from office.
“Despite repeated calls, the Weah Administration refused to respect and honor the ECOWAS Court’s Judgment from November 10, 2020 until it left office on January 22, 2024. By March 31, 2024, it will be sixty (60) months since the Weah Administration illegally removed Mr. Justice Ja’neh from the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia,” they stated.
The Senate of the 54th Legislature recently passed a resolution urging the incoming administration led by President Boakai to honor and implement the ECOWAS Court’s judgment without delay. The resolution emphasizes Liberia’s commitment as a member of ECOWAS to uphold decisions and mandates of regional bodies, including the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice.
“It was therefore most appropriate when the Liberian Senate of the 54th Legislature at its last Session, marking the great transition from the outgoing Administration of President George Manneh Weah to the 55th Legislature and the incoming Administration of President-Elect Joseph Nyumah Boakai, called on the Senate of the Republic of Liberia to formally declare to the world that we shall honor the Judgment of the ECOWAS Community Court rendered in favor of Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh and mandate all appropriate organs of the Republic of Liberia to implement the ECOWAS Court’s decisions in this regard, notwithstanding any adjustment done with Mr. Justice Ja’neh through negotiations and amicable resolution by the Administration of President Joseph Nyumah Boakai.”
In response to the Senate’s resolution, members of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus have echoed their support for justice and accountability under President Boakai’s leadership. They have called upon the President to take decisive action in enforcing the ECOWAS Court’s ruling and ensuring that justice is served for Justice Ja’neh.
In the joint resolution, the members of the Nimba County Legislative Caucus expressed their unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of all Liberian citizens. They highlighted the importance of respecting international agreements and legal decisions to maintain Liberia’s standing within the ECOWAS community.
“Your Excellency, Mr. President, Liberia, as a founding member of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and a proud and well-respected member of this comity of nations, is obligated to uphold all Agreements, Protocols, Decisions, and Mandates of all organs, Institutions and Bodies of ECOWAS including the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, where two (2) Liberians have served as Justices,” the resolution stated.
