Capitol Hill, Monrovia – Liberia’s Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr. has declared that freedom of speech in Liberia must be exercised with responsibility, warning that vulgar and abusive expressions on social media constitute an abuse of constitutional rights.
Delivering his opening address at the start of the March Term of the Supreme Court on Monday, March 9, 2026, Chief Justice Gbeisay emphasized that the nation’s highest court recently clarified the limits of free expression under the 1986 Constitution in a landmark ruling involving social media commentator Justin Opa Yeazean.
According to the Chief Justice, Article 15(a) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of speech but makes individuals “fully responsible for the abuse thereof.”
He said the Supreme Court determined that the use of vulgarity, profanity, and explicit insults, particularly directed at women, on social media falls outside the protection intended by the Constitution.
“The authors of our Constitution anticipated the abuse of free speech. Engaging in vulgarity and naked abuse on social media is not the freedom of speech envisioned for the healthy growth of our democracy,” he added.
Also. the Chief Justice stressed that constitutional protections must be balanced with national values, public morality, and the rights of others.
Gbeisay cited provisions of Articles 5 and 14 of the Constitution, which empower the state to protect positive cultural values and allow restrictions on certain freedoms to safeguard public order and morals.
The Supreme Court delivered its opinion in the Yeazean contempt case on February 13, 2026, one of 63 cases adjudicated during the October 2025 Term.
However, opening the March Term, Chief Justice Gbeisay also highlighted ongoing reforms within the judiciary, including the establishment of a Judicial Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Division aimed at improving performance and combating corruption within the court system.
He reported that the judiciary had lost several staff members during the period under review and called for a moment of reflection for fallen legal professionals, including former Associate Justice George E. Henries.
At the same time, Chief Justice Gbeisay welcomed President Joseph N. Boakai and members of the three branches of government to the opening ceremony, praising the administration for gradually increasing the judiciary’s budget allocation while also reminding the government of unresolved salary deductions affecting judges since 2018.
He further announced measures to regulate legal practice, including a mandatory registry of all law firms and lawyers in Liberia and the development of standardized formats for filing briefs before the Supreme Court to align with international best practices.
The judiciary, he said, remains “the custodian of Liberia’s democracy,” stressing that justice must be dispensed without regard to race, religion, political status, or social standing.
“Justice is the firmest pillar upon which every nation rests its hope. When the law is neglected, the state itself is neglected,” the Chief Justice declared.
Reported by: Prince Saah
