Monrovia-The Supreme Courtroom of Liberia is predicted to ship its ruling on at present, February 16, in a high-stakes authorized battle involving Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan and the Government Department of Authorities over his elimination as Director Normal of the Nationwide Public Well being Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
In keeping with a Discover of Project issued underneath the signature of Cllr. Sam Manfulu, Clerk of the Courtroom, the ruling might be handed down at 3:00 p.m. in the course of the Courtroom’s October Time period, A.D. 2025.
The case was heard by Chambers Justice Jamesetta Howard-Wolokolie after arguments had been offered on January 15.
Dr. Nyan filed a Petition for a Writ of Prohibition on October 23, 2025, difficult what he describes as his “unconstitutional” elimination by President Joseph Boakai on October 15, 2025.
The motion was reportedly based mostly on a decision from the NPHIL Board alleging “gross inefficiency.”
The petition names the Government Department, represented by the Minister of Justice and Lawyer Normal, the Solicitor Normal, and all individuals working underneath the authority of the Minister, as respondents.
By his authorized group, led by Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe and Cllr. Kabineh Ja’neh of Gongloe & Associates Legislation Agency, Dr. Nyan contends that his elimination violated the NPHIL Act of 2016, which offers for a hard and fast five-year tenure for the Director Normal.
His legal professionals argue that no lawful investigation was performed and no findings of wrongdoing had been offered to justify his dismissal.
The petition additional asserts that the President’s motion contravened procedural safeguards and constitutes grounds for prohibition, citing precedent together with Yealue versus the Government Department.
Throughout oral arguments earlier than Justice Wolokolie, authorities legal professionals reportedly didn’t submit written briefs however relied on the NPHIL Board decision and two affidavits from Well being Minister Louise Kpoto and NPHIL Board Chair Stephen Kennedy.
The federal government is alleged to have argued that the President possesses authority to terminate the Director Normal.
Nevertheless, in keeping with courtroom accounts, no statutory provision was cited establishing an “at will” elimination energy over a fixed-term tenure place, and no investigative report or evidentiary findings had been entered into the document.
Since assuming workplace on August 19, 2024, and underneath his management, the institute led responses to outbreaks of Mpox, Lassa fever, and measles.
NPHIL additionally obtained designation from the Africa Centres for Illness Management and Prevention as an “Africa Regional Heart of Excellence for Nationwide Public Well being Institute Improvement.” Unbiased stories from the Normal Auditing Company and NPHIL’s 2025 Annual Report reportedly documented institutional progress throughout his tenure.
The authorized matter raises elementary constitutional questions on govt authority, statutory tenure protections, due course of, and the separation of powers.
Because the administration of President Boakai faces rising scrutiny over adherence to rule-of-law ideas, the end result of this case could outline the bounds of govt elimination energy and reinforce, or recalibrate, the safeguards governing public establishments.
Dr. Nyan has expressed confidence within the judiciary, stating that he trusts the Supreme Courtroom to uphold constitutional order, equity, and due course of in public service.
The ruling is scheduled to be delivered on the Temple of Justice in Monrovia at 3:00 p.m. on at present, February 16.
