Liberia Chief Justice Gbeisay: WOFIM Backs Jury Abolition Amid Corruption

• The Young Liberian Women Organization for Improvement (WOFIM) supports Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr.'s call to abolish Liberia's trial jury system.
• WOFIM cites alleged jury tampering, corruption, and verdict manipulation as reasons for eroding public trust and threatening justice.
• Specific incidents of alleged jury interference in rape and drug cases across multiple judicial circuits were highlighted.
• A desk review by WOFIM, using Afrobarometer data, indicates public trust in Liberia's justice system is only 37 percent.
• The organization advocates for amending Article 20(a) of the 1986 Liberian Constitution to address the challenges of the current jury system.

A failure to decisively address the alleged misconduct within the jury system could have far-reaching negative consequences, including a further decline in public confidence in the judiciary, an exacerbation of corruption, an increase in human rights violations, and a general disregard for the rule of law.

The Young Liberian Women Organization for Improvement (WOFIM) has publicly endorsed Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr.'s proposal to eliminate trial juries within Liberia's judicial system. This significant backing, articulated in a press statement issued on October 22, 2026, and released on October 30, highlights deep concerns regarding the integrity of criminal proceedings. WOFIM, a women-led organization, contends that pervasive issues such as alleged jury tampering, widespread corruption, and the manipulation of verdicts are severely eroding public trust in the nation's justice framework.

The organization specifically warns that the continued reliance on jurors in criminal cases, amidst numerous reports of unethical conduct, poses a direct threat to fundamental principles of justice. These include equitable access to legal recourse, equal protection under the law, and the safeguarding of vulnerable populations. WOFIM's support for Chief Justice Gbeisay's stance underscores a shared apprehension that jurors are reportedly soliciting or accepting financial incentives and other benefits in exchange for specific verdicts. This practice, they argue, can lead to the wrongful acquittal of defendants despite compelling evidence, or conversely, the unjust conviction of vulnerable individuals who have not received a fair hearing.

To substantiate its position, WOFIM has referenced several troubling incidents from past judicial circuits, illustrating the alleged systemic failures within the jury system. Among these, the organization cited an instance of alleged jury tampering that occurred during the Eighth Judicial Circuit's session in Nimba County in 2022. Further concerns were raised by a reported compromise in a rape case during the Seventh Judicial Circuit sitting in Grand Gedeh County, as well as another rape case in the 11th Judicial Circuit in Bong County, both allegedly influenced by jury interference.

Additionally, WOFIM pointed to a drug-related case in the 13th Judicial Circuit in Margibi County, which reportedly faced significant delays and complications due to alleged jury tampering while the proceedings were still active. These documented allegations, according to WOFIM, cast serious doubt on the credibility of criminal trials across Liberia. They raise critical questions about the Liberian judicial system's capacity to consistently deliver impartial and reliable verdicts, thereby undermining the very foundation of justice.

WOFIM's advocacy for Liberia jury reform is firmly rooted in international legal principles, specifically Article 8 of the Maputo Protocol, which guarantees women's access to justice and equal protection before the law. The organization emphasizes that a failure to decisively address the alleged misconduct within the jury system could have far-reaching negative consequences. These include a further decline in public confidence in the judiciary, an exacerbation of corruption, an increase in human rights violations, and a general disregard for the rule of law.

The potential ramifications extend beyond the courtroom, threatening national instability, contributing to increased migration, and potentially escalating violence against women, girls, and children, particularly in sensitive cases involving rape and drug offenses. A desk review conducted by WOFIM, incorporating Afrobarometer data, reveals that public trust in Liberia’s justice system currently stands at a mere 37 percent. WOFIM asserts that the government's ambitious ARREST Agenda cannot be successfully implemented without a judicial system that is both credible and trusted, capable of ensuring accountability and safeguarding citizens' rights.

Beyond its support for Chief Justice Gbeisay's call, WOFIM is actively urging a broad coalition of stakeholders to join the effort to reform Liberia's justice system. This includes citizens, civil society organizations, private-sector actors, national and international donors, international non-governmental organizations, members of the Liberian diaspora, and the wider international community. A central component of this advocacy is a push for amendments to Article 20(a) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, specifically targeting the challenges associated with the existing jury system.

WOFIM maintains that such meaningful judicial reform is indispensable for several critical objectives: restoring public confidence in the legal system, strengthening the rule of law, and ensuring that both victims and accused individuals receive fair and equitable treatment under the law. The organization believes that addressing the structural issues within the jury system is a crucial step toward achieving a more just and stable society in Liberia.

The ongoing push to abolish Liberia's jury system, if successful, would fundamentally alter criminal trial procedures and potentially impact the reliability and integrity of judicial outcomes. Lawyers practicing in Liberia should closely monitor legislative efforts to amend Article 28 of the 1986 Constitution and prepare for significant changes in trial strategy and client advisories, particularly concerning criminal defense and litigation risk.

Source: Original reporting via news dispatch