MONROVIA, Liberia — Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, vision bearer of the Political Centrism Movement, has urged Liberians to exercise caution before criticizing Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay over his call for legislative consideration of abolishing the country’s trial jury system.
Gbala’s position follows remarks delivered by Chief Justice Gbeisay on Monday, October 12, 2026, during the opening of the October Term of the Supreme Court of Liberia, where the Chief Justice raised concerns about corruption, jury tampering, and the integrity of criminal proceedings.
In responding to the ongoing public debate, Gbala argued that discussions about the jury system should be informed by an understanding of how different countries structure their judicial systems, rather than being driven solely by reactions to the Chief Justice’s proposal.
He cited a reported estimate that approximately 30 percent of judiciaries worldwide retain the jury system, using the figure to support his argument that Liberia should consider the broader international context when debating possible judicial reforms. The statistic has not been independently verified for this report.
Jury System and Judicial Accountability
The Chief Justice’s proposal has placed the future of jury trials at the center of a wider discussion about judicial accountability, constitutional rights, and the administration of justice in Liberia.
According to reports on his October 12 address, Gbeisay pointed to allegations of jury tampering and corruption as reasons for asking the Legislature to consider whether the current system should continue. The concerns include reported interference with jurors in high-profile criminal proceedings. <Cite refs={[“turn863056search0″,”turn863056search2”]}/>
However, the debate extends beyond allegations of misconduct to the constitutional role of juries in Liberia’s justice system.
Article 20(a) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution provides for the right to trial by jury in cases covered by the constitutional provision, subject to the stated exceptions. The Judiciary’s Office of Jury Management also identifies citizen participation in the administration of justice as a central purpose of the system.
Any proposal to abolish or substantially restructure jury trials therefore raises important legal and constitutional questions that must be carefully examined by the appropriate institutions.
Balancing Reform and Public Confidence
Gbala’s intervention highlights the importance of conducting the debate through informed public discussion, legal analysis, and consideration of practices in other jurisdictions.
At the same time, the allegations cited in support of reform raise legitimate questions about how Liberia can protect jurors from bribery, intimidation, and improper influence while preserving the fairness and credibility of criminal trials.
The central issue is whether the existing system can be strengthened through improved jury selection, oversight, accountability, and enforcement, or whether more fundamental changes are necessary. Such questions require evidence-based assessment rather than assumptions about the effectiveness of any single judicial model.
The Legislature, legal professionals, civil society organizations, and the Judiciary each have a role in examining the legal implications and potential consequences of proposed changes.
For Liberia, the debate presents an opportunity to assess how best to protect constitutional rights, safeguard the independence of the courts, and ensure that justice is administered fairly and without undue influence.
While Gbala has cautioned against uninformed criticism of the Chief Justice, the broader discussion must also allow for legitimate public scrutiny of judicial proposals. A constructive debate should consider both the concerns raised by the Judiciary and the constitutional protections that underpin the country’s justice system.
Gbala Defends Need for Informed Debate on Jury System Amid Gbeisay’s Call for Reform
