Liberia
On February 17, 2026, the Supreme Court of Liberia ordered the immediate reinstatement of Dr. Dougbeh Christopher Nyan as Director General of the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL). The Court ruled that his removal by the Executive Branch was unconstitutional and violated statutory due-process protections.
Dr. Nyan, a trained epidemiologist, was appointed Director General of NPHIL in 2024. Under his leadership, the institute played a central role in Liberia's responses to public health emergencies. In September 2025, he was abruptly terminated by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai following a resolution from the NPHIL Board citing "gross inefficiency." Dr. Nyan challenged the termination, arguing it violated both statutory and constitutional protections.
The Supreme Court found that Dr. Nyan's dismissal lacked legal and procedural basis. Citing Section 4.4(c) of the NPHIL Act of 2016, the Court emphasized that any allegations must be established through a formal investigation consistent with due process. The ruling reinforces constitutional safeguards for tenured officials and sets a clear precedent limiting executive overreach.
The Court's decision underscores the judiciary's commitment to upholding due process and protecting institutional independence in Liberia's public health sector.
