By Amos Harris
The Liberian Judiciary has strongly rejected a publication claiming that Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay ordered an investigation into alleged jury tampering in a reported US$6.2 million corruption case, describing the report as entirely false, misleading, and politically damaging to the country’s justice system. In an official statement issued by Judiciary Communications Director Caesar Slapeh, the institution said the publication was fabricated and intended to create public confusion regarding the role of the Chief Justice in ongoing criminal proceedings before the courts.
The Judiciary clarified that at no time did Chief Justice Gbeisay issue any mandate, directive, or authorization for an investigation into alleged jury misconduct connected to the corruption matter referenced in the circulating report. According to the statement, the publication falsely suggested that the Chief Justice had improperly intervened in a criminal case currently under judicial consideration, an accusation the Judiciary described as both reckless and legally unfounded.
The Judiciary emphasized that Liberia’s constitutional and legal framework does not permit arbitrary interference by the Chief Justice in criminal proceedings, especially in matters involving jury deliberations and pending court actions. Officials further warned that the spread of unverified reports and speculative social media publications threatens public trust in the country’s democratic institutions and undermines confidence in the independence of the courts.
The statement also accused unnamed individuals of using misinformation and propaganda to inflame public sentiment surrounding high-profile corruption cases, warning that such actions could damage the integrity of Liberia’s justice system. The Judiciary maintained that verdicts delivered by juries are based on legal procedures and evidence presented before the courts, not political influence, media campaigns, or conspiracy theories circulated online.
At the same time, the institution urged Liberians to rely only on verified information released through official Judiciary communication channels rather than social media speculation and unconfirmed reports. The Judiciary further disclosed that it reserves the legal right to pursue action against individuals or institutions responsible for spreading what it termed “knowingly false and defamatory information” intended to discredit the court system and its officials.
The controversy surrounding the alleged jury tampering report has already generated public debate, particularly as corruption-related cases continue to attract national attention and political tension across Liberia. Meanwhile, the Judiciary is calling on journalists, bloggers, and social media users to fact-check information before publishing or sharing stories in the public interest, stressing that irresponsible reporting has the potential to create unnecessary panic, damage reputations, and interfere with the fair administration of justice.
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