Judge Smith Charges Chief Justice Gbeisay

-Claims that he has breached his human rights. Maryland County, November 12, 2025: Judge George W. Smith, who is assigned to the 12th Judici...

-Claims that he has breached his human rights.

Maryland County, November 12, 2025: Judge George W. Smith, who is assigned to the 12th Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Kru County, has claimed that Chief Justice Yamie QuiQui Gbeisay violated his basic Human rights by allegedly denying his request for a medical examination and treatment after he underwent a successful major medical procedure.

The New Dawn newspaper is striving to secure the Chief Justice's reaction to this claim.

Nevertheless, speaking to judges, attorneys, and court personnel on Monday, November 10, 2025, during the formal commencement of courts nationwide, Judge Smith highlighted to his listeners the claimed infringement of Chief Justice Gbeisay's right to health.

"I feel obligated to make this statement, exercising my constitutional right to free expression, to inform everyone, especially the Chief Justice, that the infringement on Judge Smith's and his family's fundamental human right to health will not protect him from legal responsibility in his private capacity if I suffer serious harm," Smith reminded his audience.

He continued, "I had a significant medical treatment. Before that, I requested the Chief Justice to transfer me to a circuit close to Monrovia where my physician is located, or at least to a circuit that would provide me with access to a referral hospital other than those in Grand Kru, Sinoe, and River Gee, but he declined," Smith states.

He also claimed that the chief justice did not comply with his request, seemingly due to the excuse of implementing reforms within the Judiciary, rebranding the Judiciary, and upholding work ethics and discipline in the Judicial system.

"After Chief Justice Gbeisay rejected my universal human right to health request, I reminded him that the Judiciary should refund the US$3,280 I had used, with the approval of the Court Administrator (CA), to pre-finance some tasks at the Civil Law Court where I was currently assigned. The Chief Justice pledged to discuss this request with the CA and get back to me, but has not done so. I also let him know that I urgently needed this money to cover my medical costs, among other things, but he declined to fulfill my request," he said.

Judge Smith remarked, much to the surprise of those present, that following his release from the hospital, he reminded the Chief Justice that he was about to depart Monrovia for a new post, and displayed no compassion regarding his health issue, insisting that I compose a formal letter to him.

This does not represent a genuine effort to reform or rebrand the Judiciary and uphold ethical standards within it," Smith said to his audience. "This is an overuse of power, a strong desire to demonstrate authority. This is oppression, control, and authoritarianism—'the enforcement or promotion of strict compliance with authority at the cost of individual freedom,' Smith added.

Smith added, "My fundamental right to freedom of personal health, as demonstrated here, is limited."

Article 8 of our constitution states that "The Republic shall focus its policies on providing all citizens with ... humane living conditions ... and promoting ... health ...." Article III(B) of the Convention on the Right to Health, issued by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights and the World Health Organization (WHO), mentions: "The duty to respect (the right to health) obliges States [and other entities] to avoid any direct or indirect interference with the right to health."

However, Judge Smith pointed out that the duty to safeguard necessitates States to stop third parties [in this case, the Chief Justice] from hindering the right to health.

However, Judge Smith continued with his opening address, which he titled as his opening speech on the subject: "The Duty of Circuit Riding - Bringing Justice and the Rule of Law to the People's Doorsteps Rather Than the Opposite - The Responsibility of Both the Bench [Judges] and the Bar [Lawyers] - A Historical Perspective on Circuit Riding."

Smith stated, the national advantage of circuit riding, which brings justice and the rule of law to the people's doorsteps through circuit judges and their court associates, including lawyers, is intended to "ensure a consistent application of legal rules across the country."

Additionally, he mentioned that traveling between circuits enables circuit judges to gain an understanding of the cultural and socio-economic conditions of the people they serve in delivering justice and maintaining the rule of law—essential factors for a harmonious and structured society. -Edited by Othello B. Garblah.

Copyright 2025 The New Dawn. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (okay1)

Tagged: Liberia, Legal and Judicial Affairs, West Africa

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.Syndigate.info).