Monrovia, Liberia – The President of Liberia, Mr. George Manneh Weah, has appointed Judge Yussif Kaba as Associate Justice to the Supreme Court of Liberia.
If Judge Kaba is confirmed by the Liberian Senate, he will replace the impeached former Associate Justice Kabineh Mohammed Ja’neh. Judge Kaba’s appointment was announced Monday, April 1, by the Executive Mansion.
Associate Justice Ja’neh was last Friday, March 29, impeached by the Liberian Senate, which concurred with the House of Representatives, which had earlier voted to impeach Justice Ja’neh last August 2018.
On Thursday, March 18, FrontPageAfrica broke the news that impeccable sources had told us that the judge of the Civil Law Court, Yousif Kaba, was tipped to be appointed and to subsequently join the Bench should Associate Justice Kabineh Ja’neh be impeached. The Executive Mansion has again confirmed what was reported nearly two weeks ago.
An Executive Mansion source had hinted FrontPageAfrica that a number of names of qualified and experienced judges had been submitted to the Office of the President, but Judge Kaba’s name was a priority on the list.
When FrontPageAfrica was hinted, it was further told that the President would swiftly make the appointment of Judge Kaba.
The selection of Judge Kaba is intended to appease the Mandingo ethnic group which believes that Justice Ja’neh’s impeachment trial was a witch-hunt against them.
Pressure Mounted
Members of the Muslim Community across the country had expressed their disgust over the trial through various protests.
On February 28, a group of Muslims in Gbarnga City, Bong County, under the banner Coalition of Islamic Organization – Bong Chapter gathered peacefully to demonstrate and condemn the impeachment proceedings of their kinsman and religious brother — Justice Ja’neh.
The group said the impeachment proceedings against Justice Ja’neh was not only unconstitutional, but lacked all legal basis.
Gbarnga’s main street was filled with colorful placards carrying slogans: “Halt the impeachment trial of Ja’neh for peace and stability”, “the impeachment is not for Justice Ja’neh alone, let’s stand up against it.”
Protesters began the procession while chanting: “Ja’neh is our only high-profile person in government and impeaching him would be a big blow to us.”
Appeal to Supreme Court
It is not clear whether Judge Kaba’s confirmation will take place as lawyers representing the legal interests of Justice Ja’neh had announced an appeal to the Supreme Court following his impeachment in the Senate.