Yuoh Calls For Judicial Independence, Infrastructure Support In Final Address

Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh delivered her final opening address for the March Term of Court on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Supreme Court of Liberia, marking the end of an illustrious judicial career.
Her retirement aligns with Article 72(B) of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia, which mandates that justices retire upon reaching the age of 70. Accordingly, Chief Justice Yuoh celebrates her 70th birthday in June 2025.
In a reflective and emotional speech, Chief Justice Yuoh recounted her remarkable journey through the judiciary, highlighting the principles of justice and fairness that guided her rise from Associate Justice to the nation’s top judicial officer.
She spoke of landmark cases that shaped her tenure, including pivotal rulings on civil rights protections and the complex balance between privacy and security in the digital age.
“As I stand before you today, delivering my final opening address, I am reminded of the profound responsibility entrusted to me as a custodian of the rule of law. It has been an honor to serve this nation and uphold the Constitution with integrity and impartiality,” Chief Justice Yuoh stated.
Her departure comes at a time when the Judiciary continues to advocate for greater support and financial autonomy.
During the same session, the Bench renewed its call for the Executive Branch to address long-standing infrastructure and budgetary concerns.
A key issue raised was the deteriorating state of the Temple of Justice building. Since the March Term 2023, the Judiciary has pressed for the construction of a new Supreme Court facility to relieve overcrowding and address structural weaknesses.
Chief Justice Yuoh personally led discussions with the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, who expressed willingness to assist—provided that the necessary structural designs are submitted through the Ministries of Finance and Foreign Affairs, as required under diplomatic protocols.
However, both ministries have allegedly failed to act on the request, leaving the project stalled.
Furthermore, the Judiciary criticized the Ministry of Finance’s continued control over its budget, a practice that violates the Financial Autonomy Act (2006).
The law grants the Judiciary the right to independently prepare and submit its annual budget estimates without interference from the Executive Branch.
“It was the Minister of Finance who set the budget for the Judiciary, a conduct that was clearly in violation of the Financial Autonomy Act (2006),” the statement noted.
Chief Justice Yuoh underscored the importance of preserving judicial independence, citing section 21.3 (1) (2) of the New Judiciary Law, which empowers the Supreme Court to submit its budget directly to the Bureau of the Budget to cover personnel, supplies, services, and retirement benefits.
Quoting former Chief Justice A. Dash Wilson Sr.’s 1968 address, Chief Justice Yuoh reminded her colleagues of their solemn duty:
“The position of a judge is a sacrificial one, dominated only by the observance of his sacred oath of office, patriotic loyalty to the administration in power, and a conscience that guides him continuously against injudicious speculations and gamble.”
As Chief Justice Yuoh prepares to retire, her legacy remains firmly rooted in her unwavering commitment to justice, the rule of law, and the protection of judicial independence.
Her final address marks the end of an era in Liberia’s legal history and sets the stage for the next chapter in the nation’s judiciary.