Gov’t Waives Arguments in Dr. Nyan Dismissal Case

By Lincoln G. Peters

MONROVIA, Liberia, October 27, 2026: The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Justice, on Tuesday waived its right to oral arguments before the Supreme Court’s Full Bench in the legal dispute surrounding the dismissal of former National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) Director General Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan.

The decision came as lawyers representing Dr. Nyan challenged the legality of his dismissal, arguing that President Joseph Nyuma Boakai removed him without due process, in violation of the 2016 NPHIL Act.

Cllr. Tiawan Saye Gongloe, one of Dr. Nyan’s lawyers, criticized the government’s decision to waive oral arguments after challenging an earlier ruling in his client’s favor.

Gongloe argued that the move wasted the Court’s time and urged the justices to take appropriate action.

Dr. Nyan’s legal team maintained that the recommendation by NPHIL’s Board of Directors did not constitute due process because their client was neither formally notified of the allegations nor afforded an opportunity to defend himself before his removal.

During the hearing, Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba questioned whether the President’s constitutional authority to appoint and dismiss officials supersedes statutory protections governing the tenure of the NPHIL Director General.

The government’s position, as presented in the proceedings, was that the Constitution takes precedence over the NPHIL Act and that President Boakai acted on a September 12, 2025, Board resolution recommending Nyan’s dismissal.

Justice Kaba also raised questions concerning Section 4.4 of the NPHIL Act, which outlines grounds for removing the Director General, including gross inefficiency, corruption, criminal conviction and conduct contrary to public interest or good governance, subject to due process.

Dr. Nyan was dismissed on October 15, 2025, before completing his five-year statutory tenure.

On February 16, 2026, Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie ruled in his favor, finding insufficient grounds for his dismissal and ordering his reinstatement or compensation for the remainder of his tenure.

The government subsequently challenged the ruling before the Supreme Court’s Full Bench.

Following Tuesday’s proceedings, the Supreme Court reserved ruling, leaving the dispute over presidential removal powers, statutory tenure and due process awaiting a final determination.

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