– Orders Mandatory Credential Audit
By: G. Bennie Bravo Johnson
An internal memo dated August 27, 2025, reveals that the newly inducted Chief Justice of Liberia, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, has ordered a credential audit and personnel verification across the judiciary branch of government. The Civil Service Agency (CSA), acting on the directive of Chief Justice Gbeisay, Sr., is poised to begin a week-long Credential Audit and Personnel Verification across courts in Montserrado County beginning Thursday, August 28.
The audit, which is expected to run until Thursday, September 4, 2025, will cover judges, magistrates, and judiciary staff in both the 1st and 6th Judicial Circuits, with a focus on confirming the academic credentials and qualifications of all employees under the Judiciary Branch. Upon assuming office on August 15, Chief Justice Gbeisay pledged to uphold the rebranding efforts of his predecessor while implementing key reforms to strengthen the judiciary.
Central to these reforms is what the Chief Justice termed a “credential audit” to ensure that all judiciary personnel possess the appropriate academic qualifications and professional experience required to carry out their assigned duties. “As part of our commitment to accountability and service excellence, we will conduct credential audits to ensure that all staff of the Judiciary have the required academic qualification and experience,” the Chief Justice stated during his inaugural remarks.
To carry out the audit, the CSA has deployed three specialized teams across three main venues in Montserrado County: Team A, stationed at the Temple of Justice, will audit all judges, magistrates, court administrators, directors, and other personnel within the Temple of Justice, as well as staff at the West Point Magisterial Court.
Team B, assigned to the Paynesville Magisterial Court, will cover judiciary personnel from Paynesville, Omega, Careysburg, Bensonville, and Todee magisterial courts.
Team C, operating out of the Gardnersville Magisterial Court, will conduct audits for staff from the Gardnersville, Bushrod Island, Brewerville, and Arthington Magisterial Courts.
According to a statement from the Office of Public Information/Strategic Planning at the Judiciary, the exercise is mandatory. All judiciary staff are required to present original copies of their academic credentials along with their National Identification Cards. Failure to comply, the release warns, will result in “severe administrative consequences.”
The Chief Justice expressed appreciation to the CSA, particularly its Director General and staff, for their support and collaboration in ensuring the success of this initiative. But this sweeping audit raises troubling questions about the state of the Judiciary.
