Isaac Jackson Ban For 1Year

By: R. Joyclyn Wea:j.wea@newrepublicliberia.com

The Supreme Court of Liberia has with immediate effect suspended Liberia’s Representative to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) from the practice of law in Liberia for the period of one year.

The High Court’s  action is as the result of the unprovoked verbal assault and insult by Atty. Isaac Jackson directed at the Chief Justice of Supreme Court is highly contemptuous and reprehensible.

Atty. Jackson recently wrote the Chief Justice appealing to him for his action, but the High Court noted that Jackson’s letter of apology quietly written to the Chief Justice did not go far in making amends for such unwarranted act.

Handing down verdict into the case involving Jackson and the Government of Liberia Friday, September 4, 2020, the court bewailed “for this egregious act, attorney Isaac Jackson is hereby suspended from the practice of law in the republic of Liberia for the period of one calendar year, commencing from the date of the judgment in this case.

The High Court further ordered Atty. Jackson to write and publish a letter of apology to the chief justice of the Supreme Court as well as the entire judiciary and have same published three times in succession in two local dailies, one of which shall be the Front Page Africa Newspaper.

Jackson’s failure to do as directed by that honorable court after a period of three months, the suspension imposed on him shall be automatically turned into permanent disbarment from the practice of law in the Republic of Liberia.

Similarly; the Supreme Court has ruled against Isaac Jackson denying the peremptory writ pray for by him (Jackson) against the Government of Liberia over his replacement as Liberia’s representative to the IMO.

The Court noted that for the effective operation of the government, the legislature, in the exercise of its authority granted by the constitution may create an institution or agency or interference of and make it independent from the overarching executive influence, impact or interference of the presidency by giving tenure to its members.

The Supreme Court indicated in its judgment that President George Weah action to replaced Jackson in no way violates the power granted the President of Liberia under article 56 of the constitution (1986) to appoint officials of government both in the military and civil authorities who hold offices at the will and pleasure of the president.

The case has been pending before the Honorable Supreme Court for a protracted period, and to be determined by that Court.

The Court further that while Liberian Maritime Act of 2010 gave tenure of five years to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners of Liberia Maritime Organization (IMO) is not a Deputy Commissioner; the occupant of that position holds the status of a diplomat who may be recalled or removed by the will of the President of Liberia therefore, Jackson who was appointed permanent representative to the IMO is not entitled to tenure.

 “Wherefore and in view of the foregoing, the alternative writ of prohibition issued by the justice in chambers is hereby quashed and the peremptory writ prayed for denied. The clerk of this court is ordered to inform the party in this case of this judgment and it is so ordered.”