Her Honor Jamesetta H. Wolokollie was born in Maryland County, Liberia, and has three children: one (1) boy and two (2) girls. She obtained a B.A. Degree in English/Sociology, College of Liberal and Fine Arts in 1981 from the University of Liberia. She received a M.A. Degree in English and Teaching & Production of Drama, School of Drama, in 1985 from the Florida State University, U.S.A. and later received an L.L.B. in Law from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia in 1988. She served as instructor within the English Department at the University of Liberia from 1981 – 1994, and as Legal Counsel at the Law Offices of Barnes and Johnson; Maxwell and Maxwell Law Offices; Cooper and Togbah; in-house counsel, Liberia Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), Monrovia, Liberia from 1988-2005. As Counsellor-at-Law, she served as Assistant Secretary and subsequently as Secretary of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA). She also served as the 1st Vice President of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL). Her service with the Government of Liberia began when she served as Nationwide Consultation for the Governance Reform Commission (GRC), Monrovia, Liberia from 2004-2005; Minister of Youth and Sports, Monrovia, Liberia from April 2005-June 2007. In July 2007, she was nominated by Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of the Republic of Liberia and confirmed by the Liberian Senate to serve as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Republic of Liberia.
Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokollie has Judicial Oversight:
Maryland County
The 4th Judicial Circuit Court of Maryland County exercises original jurisdiction over all cases as to which no other court has, including jurisdiction in admiralty. The Circuit Court also has jurisdiction to hear appeals from administrative determinations of government agencies and officials in accordance with Read More…
Grand Kru County
Grand Kru County is the home of the 12th Judicial Circuit which sits on criminal, civil and probate matters and is housed in the Judicial Complex in Barclayville City. The 12th Judicial Circuit also oversees the functions of two (2) Revenue, Read More….
River Gee County
River Gee County is the home of the 15th Judicial Circuit which sits on criminal, civil and probate matters and is housed in the Fish Town City Hall, in Fish Town. The 15th Judicial Circuit also oversees the functions of the Revenue Read more…..
OPINIONS BY HER HONOR JUSTICE JAMESETTA H. WOLOKOLLIE
The Unconstitutionality of Several Actions taken by Certain Members of the House of Representatives (12/06/2024)
Mr. Justice Tubman speaking for the Supreme Court in the case Fazzah v. The National Economy Committee, 8LLR, 84,85 (1943) opined that every so often: "...there arises some litigation in the course of judicial proceedings like a mighty billow raising itself to a magnificent height as out of the sea, arousing public excitement, curiosity, anxiety), and interest. The civilians, as seashore visitors and dwellers, look on, some with fear, others with satisfaction, and yet others with amazement and trembling; out these legal billows seem, as it were, to dash themselves upon the shore as do the ocean billows and recede into Read more →
UNITY PARTY AND LIBERIA PEOPLE PARTY VS. THE NATIONAL ELECTIONS COMMISSION-PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS (10/06/2023)
The conduct of free, fair and credible elections is the bedrock of all democracy. It is the process by which a nation and a people determine who will and who should govern and direct the course of their lives for a given period of time, especially as provided for by the highest law of their land---the Constitution. Through elections, the people manifest their desire for a civilized and democratic order. These objectives were not lost by the framers of our Constitution, adopted in 1984 and with an effective date of January 6, 1986, when they crafted these words: “All power is inherent in the people. All free governments are instituted by their authority and for their benefit and they have the right to alter and reform the same when their safety and happiness so require. In order to ensure democratic government which responds to the wishes of the governed, the people shall have the right at such period, and in such manner as provided for under this Constitution, to cause their public servants to leave office and to fill vacancies by regular elections and appointments [Emphasis ours]. The Liberian Constitution of 1986 effectuates this vision, a democratic constitutional Read more →
UNITY PARTY V. NEC-Violation of Section 4.1(2) of Elections Law (1)a2 (2) (10/05/2023)
The Court has held that the function of the Judiciary is to interpret the law as it is written. This Court has been called upon by the Unity Party, appellant, to determine whether the National Elections Commission (NEC), appellee has violated Chapter 4, entitled “Conduct of Elections”, particularly Section 4.1(2) with respect to the number of registered voters in a precinct. Section 4.1 (2) of the New Elections Law as amended in 2016 reads: “The number of registered voters in every precinct shall be approximately equal, and unless the Commission in any particular case so determines, the number of registered voters in any precinct shall not exceed three thousand (3000).” The Unity Party complained to the NEC that 93 voting precincts in nine counties constituting Read more →
ODESCO TARPEH VS. ERIC VAYE (09/13/2023)
The facts as culled from the records in this case are that, on August 21, 2023, the appellant Odesco Tarpeh, a registered voter of Electoral District #5, Montserrado County, filed a letter of complaint to the National Elections Commission (NEC) objecting to the eligibility of the Co-appellee Eric Vaye to contest as representative candidate in Electoral District #5, Montserrado County. In the complaint, the appellant alleged that Co-appellee Eric Vaye is ineligible to contest because he was convicted for the commission of a felony and was sentenced to a prison term of five (5) years, and that he had not served the prison sentence levied against him. On August 17, 2023, the Liberia First Movement Party, by and thru its Chairman, Layee Togba, filed a motion to join, praying the NEC to join it as a party in the case because it is qualified and suitable to be an objector to ensure that a convict who has not served his prison term be disallowed from contesting for an elected position in Liberia. Read more →
Eminent Citizens & Residents of Margibi County VS. Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill of Margibi County (08/31/2023)
This is an appeal from a ruling made by the National Elections Commission (NEC) on a motion to dismiss a complaint challenging the eligibility of the appellee, Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill, to contest as a senatorial candidate of Margibi County in the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections. The genesis of this appeal as per the records is that, on July 10, 2023, one Peter F. Mulbah, referring to himself as an eminent citizen of Margibi County, wrote a letter to Madam Davidetta Brown Lassana, Chairperson of the National Elections Commission (NEC) objecting to the certification of Mr. Nathaniel F. McGill to contest in Margibi County as a senatorial candidate. He alleged that Mr. McGill lied under oath when he stated that he domiciles in Margibi County, whereas, he lives in the R-2 Community located in Montserrado County. Subsequently, on July 13, 2023, several citizens referring to themselves as Eminent Citizens Read more →
Stoner Liberia Inc. vs. Ecobank Liberia Limited (08/11/2023)
The appellant, Stoner Liberia, Inc. (Stoner), requests this Court to review and reverse the ruling entered by the Justice in Chambers, denying the petition for the writ of prohibition filed by the appellant against the conduct of Judge Eva Mappy Morgan of the Commercial Court of Liberia. We are to determine whether the Justice’s ruling is erroneous and reversible as a matter of law as alleged by the appellant. The undisputed facts as revealed by the records are that on July 3, 2018, the Co-appellee Ecobank Liberia Limited (Ecobank) filed an action of debt by attachment against the appellant Stoner before the Commercial Court of Liberia, alleging that the appellant Stoner is indebted to it in the sum of US$946,787.04 (Nine Hundred Forty-six Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty-seven Dollars Four Cents United States Dollars); that this amount derived from a loan facility secured by the appellant and which loan the appellant had failed to liquidate in full and in keeping with the agreement executed between the parties. The Co-appellee Bank prayed the court to adjudge the appellant liable and order it to pay the said amount. Read more →
J.D. Wesley et al vs. His Honor Yamie Gbaisay et al (08/11/2023)
Rule IV, Part 12 of the Revised Rules of the Supreme Court prescribes the office of bill information as follows: “(a). A bill of information will lie to prevent a Judge or any Judicial Officer who attempts to execute the mandate of the Supreme Court in an improper manner from doing so with the Judgment and/or Mandate of the Supreme Court. (b). A Bill of Information will also lie to prevent any one whomsoever from interfering with the Judgment and/or Mandate of the Supreme Court. (c). Any Counsellor who files a Bill of Information before this Court assigning reasons therefor other than the reasons expressly prescribed by these Rules shall be penalized by the imposition of a fine, suspension or disbarment.” The Supreme Court has held in a long chain of Opinions that for a bill of information to be granted, the matter forming the basis of the information must have been pending before the Supreme Court or decided by it; that Read more →
Mr. Foleboi K. Kamara of 941 Yeadon Avenue vs. Alhaji Mohammed Fofana (08/11/2023)
In this appeal, we are asked by the appellant to overturn the ruling of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Montserrado County, made in a declaratory judgment proceedings in which the court ruled that the appellee has a continuous leasehold right to the disputed property by virtue of an amendment made to the original lease agreement entered into between the appellee and the decedent of the appellant’s estate, Alahaji Mohammed Fofana, on July 15, 1998. The essential facts are that the appellee and the decedent of the appellant estate, Alhaji Mohammed Fofana, entered into a lease agreement on June 20, 1997, for a parcel of land containing 1.87 lots, lying and situated in Fish Market, Sinkor, for a period of twenty (20) calendar years. As relevant to this appeal, clauses 2 and 3 of the lease agreement read: Read more →
Mrs. Warti Nancy Robinson-Bility vs. Mr. Sidikie Musa Bility (08/11/2023)
The appellee Sidike Musa Bility and the appellant Warti Nancy Robinson-Bility were husband and wife, who during the pendency of their marital relationship begot two children; namely, Al-Hussein Bility and Sidike Bility, who are minors. On May 5, 2021, the Civil Law Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, based on an Action of Divorce for Incompatibility of Temper filed by the appellee, entered a decree dissolving the marriage between the appellee and the appellant. The instant appeal emanates from the granting of permanent custody of the two minor children begotten out of the marriage to the appellee Sidike Musa Bility. The certified records reveal that while the divorce proceedings between the parties was pending before the Civil Law Court, the appellee filed a motion for temporary custody, praying the court to grant unto him temporary custody of the two minor children pending the final disposition of the divorce proceedings. The appellee contended in his motion that his request for Read more →
Varfin Kenneh v. Jallah Boi et al (08/11/2023)
This case is before us on appeal from a ruling rendered by the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court, Montserrado County, against the appellant Varfin Kenneh. The appellant challenges the lower court’s ruling, averring that the court overlooked material facts in the case, and has petitioned this Court to overturn the ruling and enter the ruling that ought to have been rendered by the court below. The salient facts that are crucial to the determination of this matter are that on March 6, 2019, the appellant Varfin Kenneh, by and through his Attorneys-in-Fact, Foday Kenneh and Mohammed Kenneh, filed an action of ejectment before the Sixth Judicial Circuit, Civil Law Court, Montserrado Read more →
SOLOMOM NGLKIA VS. JOSEPH MOMOH (07/05/2023)
This is an appeal from a final ruling rendered in an action of ejectment filed by the appellee James Z. Momoh by and thru his Attorney-in-Fact George Lansana Fallah against the appellants Solomon Ngekia, Hawa Fahnbulleh, Ansumana Sheriff, Beatrice Johnson et al, in Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Montserrado County. The appellee alleged that the appellants are withholding his property and have refused to vacate the said property despite several requests for them to do so. After several interlocutory challenges by the appellants, the Civil Law Court rendered final judgment against the appellants, adjudging them liable in ejectment and ordering that they be ousted and evicted from the subject property. The appellants now ask this Court to reverse the adverse judgment entered by the Civil Law Court against them. The records reveal that the appellee filed the action of ejectment on April 27, 2010, before the Civil Law Court, Montserrado County; that based on the complaint, the court issued out the writ of summons along with the complaint for service on the appellants. The returns of the sheriff indicated that the Co-appellant Ansumana Sheriff received the court’s precepts but refused to sign the copy of the writ of summons, while the rest of the Read more →
Intestate Estate of Shad Kaydea v Varlee Trawally (07/05/2023)
The facts in this case are not in dispute. The appellant (lessor) leased a piece of property known as the OAC compound to the appellee (lessee) on December 24, 2005, for a period of Twenty years (20) years, commencing from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2026, for an annual rent of Three Thousand United States Dollars (US$3,000) payable at the beginning of each year. Clause Ten (10) of the lease agreement between the parties provides that in the event the leased property is assigned or subleased by the appellee to a third party, the appellant would be entitled to Twenty-Five Percent (25%) of the difference in the rent payable to the appellee under the sub-lease agreement and the rent payable by the appellee under the original lease agreement. Clause Six (6) of the lease agreement also provides that if the appellee fails to make rental payment within thirty (30) days of the beginning of a year, such failure shall be considered a material breach of the agreement and the appellant shall have the right to oust and or evict the appellee from the leased property. Read more →
Fahnma Shopping Complex VS J. Fallah Business Center (07/05/2023)
This is an appeal from a final ruling in a declaratory judgment in the court below. When the case was called for hearing, one of counsels who appeared for the appellee, J. Fallah Business Center, made an application on the Court’s record praying for a dismissal of the appeal on ground that the appellant Management of Fahnma Shopping Complex failed to perfect its appeal in keeping with Chapter 51.1 of the Civil Procedure Law, 1LCLR. The appellee’s counsel stated in his application that final judgment in the case was rendered by the Civil Law Court on June 4, 2021, and the appellant excepted thereto and announced an appeal therefrom; that the appellant filed its bill of exceptions on June 15, 2021, a day outside the mandatory ten-day period for the filing of the bill of exceptions; that the notice of completion of appeal was filed on June 17, 2021; that based upon the late filing of the bill of exceptions, the appellee filed a motion to dismiss the appeal in the court below but the trial judge denied the motion, ruling that the appellant had already filed its notice of completion of appeal, thereby divesting the court of jurisdiction to act on the motion. Appellee counsel therefore prayed this Court to dismiss the appellant’s appeal for its failure to file a bill of exceptions within the time required by the appeal statute. Read more →
Intestate Estate of Zoe-Gar v. Intestate Estate of Francis R.T. Gardiner (05/19/2023)
This case presents a legal issue that has been settled by this Court in several Opinions. We are therefore left to wonder why a long standing member of this Honorable Supreme Court Bar would elect to waste the Court’s time by raising the same issue on appeal. This speaks to the fact that despite many pleas from this Court requiring that lawyers acquaint themselves with Opinions of this Court, they have deliberately chosen not to be au courant with the Court’s Opinions, or it is a scheme by lawyers to bring up settled issues before this Court on appeal as a means to deliberately delay and baffle the settlement of proceedings in the court below. The Code of Moral and Professional Ethics of lawyers provides in Rule 31 that a lawyer’s appearance in court should be deemed equivalent to an assertion on his honor that in his opinion his client’s case is one proper for judicial determination. Read more →
MAMBA POINT HOTEL Vs. JANNEH DEE (05/19/2023)
On May 20, 2016, the appellee, Janneh Dee, filed an action of damages for wrong against the Appellant Management of Mamba Point Hotel before the Civil Law Court, Sixth Judicial Circuit, Montserrado County, substantially alleging that she was injured as the result of the appellant’s negligence. In her complaint, the appellee stated that she was employed by the appellant as a waitress and served the appellant with commitment, sincerity and dedication for several years until she sustained a severe spinal injury at the instance of the appellant. Appellee alleged that on December 4, 2014, while on duty as a waitress serving customers upstairs at the appellant’s business premises in Monrovia, Montserrado County, she felt the urge to use the bathroom and proceeded downstairs to the staff bathroom; that after using the bathroom, she began to make her way back upstairs to her work station, and while on the stairways from the bathroom she slipped on the wet floor tiles, and fell down with her back to the floor; that pursuant to the fall, she began to feel severe pain in her waist and other parts of her body and she Read more →
INTESTATE ESTATE OF EDMUND CISCO V. MOUNT SANAI (05/19/2023)
The facts as the certified records reveal are that the late Edmond D. Cisco purchased a half (1/2) lot of land lying and situated in Larkpazee community, Sinkor, Monrovia from Africanus L.M. Mapleh in 1974. Edmond D. Cisco died intestate and upon his death, one of the six children born out of his body, Joshua Cisco, obtained Letters of Administration from the Monthly and Probate Court for Montserrado County authorizing him to administer the intestate of his late father. The said letters of administration was issued to Joshua Cisco on September 13, 2017. Based on the authority conferred on him as administrator of the intestate estate of Edmond D. Cisco, Joshua Cisco obtained Court’s Decree of Sale and thereafter conveyed the half (1/2) lot of land acquired by the late Edmond D. Cisco in 1974 to the appellee herein, Mount Sanai Tabernacle. This conveyance was made on August 14, 2018, and an Administrator’s Deed issued as evidence thereof. Read more →
FIRESTONE VS HIS HONOR PHILIP G. WILLIAMS (01/25/2023)
This case is before us on appeal from a ruling made by the Judge of the National Labor Court, H e r H o n o r C o m f o r t S. Natt, confirming the ruling of the Hearing Officer from the Ministry of Labor in favor of the appellees in an unfair labor practice action. Read more →