Liberia’s Fisheries Director General Chief Sues Government Over Suspension at ECOWAS Court

Emma Metieh Glassco, Director General of Liberia’s National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), has filed a lawsuit against the Liberian government at the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, challenging her indefinite suspension. She argues that the decision amounts to unlawful removal from office and violates her fundamental rights.

Glassco’s Legal Challenge

Glassco, represented by former Associate Justice Cllr. Kabineh Ja’neh, contends that her suspension, issued on February 12, 2025, was carried out without due process. The lawsuit cites violations of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, the ECOWAS Court Protocol, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Her suspension followed allegations of financial and administrative mismanagement at NaFAA. Liberia’s Minister of Information, Jerolinmek Piah, confirmed that the suspension was based on recommendations from NaFAA’s Board, which accused Glassco of misconduct. Additionally, Liberia’s Office of the Ombudsman criticized her leadership style, describing it as “insultive,” a factor that reportedly influenced President Joseph Boakai’s decision.

Key Allegations Against the Government

Glassco asserts that:

• Her suspension violates Article 20(a) of Liberia’s Constitution, which guarantees due process.
• The NaFAA Act provides a fixed four-year tenure for the Director General, meaning her removal is unlawful without a properly constituted Board of Directors.
• She has been subjected to public humiliation, intimidation, and politically motivated investigations by state agencies, including the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Ministry of Justice.
• She has been denied her salary and benefits for the remainder of her tenure.

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Compensation Sought

Glassco is demanding the ECOWAS Court to:

• Award her $175,000 in lost salary and benefits.
• Declare her suspension unlawful and affirm her tenure protections.
• Compensate her with $5 million for professional and psychological damage.
• Grant $10 million for reputational harm, emotional distress, and public humiliation.
• Order the removal of all government publications accusing her of financial misconduct.
• Demand a public apology from the Liberian government via newspapers, radio, and television.
• Cover her legal expenses, estimated at $250,000.

Legal Grounds and ECOWAS Court’s Jurisdiction

Glassco’s legal team argues that her suspension breaches contractual rights and human rights provisions under international law, including protection against unlawful deprivation of property.

The case is brought under Articles 9(4) and 10(d) of the ECOWAS Court Protocol, which allow individuals to challenge their governments when national legal remedies are deemed inadequate.

Potential Impact of the Case

This high-profile lawsuit could set a legal precedent in Liberia regarding the security of tenure for government officials. A ruling in favor of Glassco might empower other public officials to challenge politically motivated dismissals.

The Liberian government has not yet responded to the lawsuit, but legal analysts expect the case to draw significant attention from governance experts and international human rights organizations. The ECOWAS Court is expected to schedule a hearing soon to determine the case’s admissibility and begin legal proceedings.