The Free Conscious Independent and Objective Thinkers of Liberia has applauded President George Manneh Weah for nominating Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr., as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
Days ago, Cllr. Joseph Nagbe, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, resigned his position on health grounds. The resignation was accepted by President George Manneh Weah. In an effort to maintain the functionality of the Supreme Court by way of its composition, the President nominated Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia, Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr. to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Cllr. Joseph Nagbe, in keeping with the Constitution of the Republic of Liberia.
A Free Thinkers release issued recently and signed by their Secretary General, J. Roland Tarnue, says, “It is interesting to note that as balanced and realistic the nomination of Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr. is to the dispensation of Justice in our country, some of our compatriots are parading with falsehood that President Weah’s decision to nominate Cllr. Dean violates an Executive Order issued by the President that prohibit appointments in Government.”
According to the release, “For the record, President George Manneh Weah did not issue any Executive Order to prohibit appointments in government. Rather, the President issued a Presidential Directive with Measures to Safeguard State Resources during the Transition Period. The Presidential Directive in count #4 states, ‘All new employment and service contracts across government institutions are hereby suspended. There shall be no promotions and salary increase during this transition period.’
“The Free Conscious Independent and Objective Thinkers of Liberia states unequivocally that there is a clear difference between an Executive Order and Presidential Directive. Executive Order is by law, while Presidential Directive is by expediency. Additionally, count 4 of the Presidential Directive covers employments in the civil service and not presidential appointments. It will therefore be foolhardy for anyone, including the Strategic Journalists Committee, to think that the nomination of Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr. as Supreme Court Associate Justice is a violation of an Executive Order.”
The release said the President’s authority to appoint an official of government is Constitutional and, therefore, takes precedence over any Executive Order. “The Constitution is the organic law of the land,” the release underscored.
“Let the word go forth that Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr. is an acclaimed and accomplished legal luminary in Liberia. He possesses the requisite qualifications, experience and competence to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. The Free Conscious Independent and Objective Thinkers of Liberia therefore call on the Honorable Liberia Senate to perfect President George Manneh Weah’s nomination of Cllr. Frank Musah Dean, Jr.,” the release observed.