-Following His Formal Commissioning by Pres. Boakai
By SHALLON S. GONLOR |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
MONROVIA, Liberia — His Honor Cllr. Tarlo N. Wehyee has officially assumed office as Resident Judge of the Labor Court assigned to Nimba County following his nomination by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., unanimous confirmation by the Liberian Senate, and formal commissioning by the President.
President Boakai on Thursday commissioned Judge Wehyee alongside His Honor Nelson B. Chineh, Resident Circuit Judge of the 15th Judicial Circuit Court in River Gee County, and fifteen court marshals during a ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia.
The commissioning reaffirmed the Boakai Administration’s commitment to strengthening Liberia’s justice system by promoting judicial independence, professionalism, integrity, accountability, and the rule of law.
The commissioning ceremony, held at the Executive Mansion in Monrovia, forms part of the Government’s broader judicial reform agenda under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which seeks to reinforce the rule of law, improve public confidence in the courts, and enhance access to justice throughout Liberia.
Addressing the newly commissioned judicial officers, President Boakai described their appointments as a significant investment in Liberia’s justice sector and a critical step toward strengthening institutions responsible for safeguarding democracy, constitutional governance, and the fundamental rights of every Liberian.
The President reminded the judges and court marshals that they had accepted not positions of privilege but a solemn public trust requiring honesty, impartiality, discipline, and unwavering dedication to justice.
He emphasized that every judgment rendered, every order issued, and every official action taken by members of the Judiciary directly affects public confidence in Liberia’s legal system.
“The nation cannot prosper where the rule of law is weak,” President Boakai declared. “Investors lose confidence, citizens lose hope, criminals become emboldened, and institutions deteriorate.”
According to the President, strengthening the rule of law remains one of the central pillars of the ARREST Agenda because sustainable economic growth, democratic governance, national security, and lasting peace all depend upon a Judiciary that administers justice fairly, impartially, and without fear or favor.
President Boakai further stressed that judicial independence must always be accompanied by responsibility, professionalism, integrity, diligence, and unwavering fidelity to the Constitution.
He disclosed that before the commissioning ceremony, he held discussions with the Chief Justice regarding ongoing judicial reforms, emphasizing that Liberians deserve a justice system where cases are heard without unnecessary delay, the law is faithfully applied, and justice is administered equally to all.
“The wheels of justice may turn slowly, but they must never turn so slowly that our courts become revolving doors through which criminals repeatedly pass without consequence,” the President cautioned.
Speaking directly to the newly commissioned judges, President Boakai urged them to ensure that their legacy is measured not by the number of cases they adjudicate but by the public confidence their decisions inspire.
He also challenged the newly commissioned court marshals to discharge their duties with professionalism, discipline, restraint, and unwavering respect for the constitutional rights and dignity of every citizen.
His Honor Cllr. Tarlo N. Wehyee, was unanimously confirmed by the Liberian Senate before being formally commissioned on Thursday as Resident Judge of the Labor Court assigned to Nimba County.
Before his elevation to the Bench, Judge Wehyee served with distinction as Public Defender assigned to Nimba County, where he earned respect for his unwavering commitment to justice, protection of constitutional rights, and ensuring equal access to legal representation for indigent defendants. Throughout his legal career, he has consistently advocated for judicial independence, due process, and the fair and impartial administration of justice.
Nimba County hosts some of Liberia’s largest commercial and industrial operations, including ArcelorMittal Liberia, mining companies, agricultural concessions, construction firms, transportation companies, and numerous private-sector businesses employing thousands of workers.
Over the years, employees across these sectors have raised concerns over alleged wrongful dismissals, unpaid salaries and benefits, workplace injuries, unfair labor practices, unsafe working conditions, and violations of employment contracts. Many labor disputes have remained unresolved for prolonged periods because of limited judicial capacity, procedural delays, and the absence of a dedicated Labor Court within the county.
Beginning with the August Term A.D. 2026, Judge Wehyee will preside over a broad range of labor and employment matters, including wrongful termination claims, workplace injury and compensation disputes, collective bargaining disagreements, unfair labor practices, employment contract disputes, severance and benefit claims, and alleged violations of Liberia’s Decent Work Act of 2015 and other applicable labor statutes.
The establishment of the Nimba Labor Court followed legislative action aimed at decentralizing specialized judicial services and improving access to labor justice outside Monrovia.
The House of Representatives passed the Act creating the dedicated Labor Court for Nimba County on July 10, 2025, following concurrence by the Liberian Senate. The legislation originated from a bill introduced on March 7, 2025, by then-Representative—now Senator—Samuel Gongben Kogar of Nimba County Electoral District #5.
Senator Kogar argued that the legislation was a direct response to the growing number of labor disputes generated by Nimba’s expanding mining, agriculture, and commercial sectors. He maintained that workers and employers should no longer be compelled to travel long distances to seek judicial resolution of employment disputes.
