Liberian government challenges Dougbeh Nyan’s reinstatement
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Analystliberiaonline
The Liberian government has petitioned the Supreme Court against the ruling that declared the dismissal of Dougbeh Christopher Nyan, former director of Liberia’s National Public Health Institute, illegal and ordered his reinstatement or payment for the remainder of his term. A full-bench hearing is scheduled for 26 October 2026, according to Liberian media outlet The Analyst.
The government of Liberian President Joseph Boakai has petitioned the full bench of the Supreme Court to challenge the ruling ordering Dougbeh Christopher Nyan’s reinstatement as head of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), according to Liberian media outlet The Analyst. The appeal hearing is scheduled for Monday 26 October 2026 at 11 am.
On 16 February, Supreme Court Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie ruled that Nyan’s dismissal was illegal and ordered either his return to the post of director-general or payment of his salary until the end of his five-year statutory term. According to the ruling, the president had removed him without a legally established investigation or a hearing.
Nyan said the government was wrong to appeal and stated that he had neither been accused of misconduct nor investigated before his dismissal. He asked on what legal basis the executive was challenging the ruling instead of reinstating him or compensating him. The contested decision followed a resolution by the NPHIL board dated 12 September 2025, which recommended his dismissal.
The case extends public challenges to Nyan’s dismissal. On 5 October, Liberian lawyer Seltue Robert Karweaye said the removal breached the NPHIL director’s statutory term, in a statement on Nyan’s dismissal.
