Emmanuel Gbalazeh

Emmanuel N. Gbalazeh (12 August 1934 – 2 April 2009) served as the 16th Chief Justice of Liberia from 1988 until the collapse of the Liberian government in September 1990. He had previously served as the Chief Justice of the People's Supreme Court under the People's Redemption Council from 1980 to 1986.

Emmanuel Gbalazeh
16th Chief Justice of Liberia
In office
28 January 1988  September 1990
Nominated bySamuel Doe
Preceded byChea Cheapoo
Succeeded byJames Bull
Chief Justice of the People's Supreme Court of Liberia
In office
April 1980  15 January 1986
Preceded byJames A. A. Pierre
Succeeded byJames N. Nagbe
Personal details
Born12 August 1934
Sanniquellie, Liberia
Died2 April 2009
Monrovia, Liberia
Alma materUniversity of Liberia
Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law

Born in Sanniquellie, Nimba County, Gbalazeh studied at the University of Liberia before earning his LL.B. at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law.[1] He served as a Circuit Court judge in Nimba Country from 1967 to 1969, and later served as Assistant Minister of Justice in the Tolbert administration from 1972 to 1974 before entering private practice.[1]

Following the suspension of the Liberian Constitution as a result of a military coup in April 1980, Gbalazeh was appointed Chief Justice of the newly formed People's Supreme Court by the ruling People's Redemption Council.[1] Gbalazeh swore in the newly elected President Samuel Doe on 6 January 1986 and stepped down on 15 January during the transition from military to civilian rule.[2] Gbalazeh became the focus of a nationwide controversy after revoking the law license of Jenkins K.Z.B. Scott. Because Scott was at that point the Minister of Justice, the Head of State Samuel Doe ordered the Chief Justice to reverse himself, claiming that debarring the Minister of Justice amounted to removing him from office and that only the Head of State might remove government ministers.[3]

Following the impeachment and conviction of Chief Justice Chea Cheapoo in December 1987, Doe nominated Gbalazeh to replace him as Chief Justice. He was confirmed and sworn in on 28 January 1988.[4]

As a result of the outbreak of the First Liberian Civil War and the execution of Samuel Doe in September 1990, the Government of Liberia collapsed, and Gbalazeh vacated his position. He died on 2 April 2009.[1]

References

  1. "Emmanuel Gbalazeh Dies". Daily Observer. 6 April 2009.
  2. "Doe Ousts Five Ministers, Names New Chief Justice". Associated Press. January 15, 1986.
  3. "I Will Accept Nomination — Gbalazeh". Daily Star 1987-12-07: 1/7.
  4. "WEST AFRICA; Appointment of new Chief Justice in Liberia". BBC. January 28, 1988.
Legal offices
Preceded by
Chea Cheapoo
Chief Justice of Liberia
1988-1990
Succeeded by
James Bull
Preceded by
James A. A. Pierre
Chief Justice of People's Supreme Court
1980-1986
Succeeded by
James N. Nagbe
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