The National Labour Court of Montserrado County has ordered the management of the National Teachers Association of Liberia (NTAL) to pay its Secretary General, Samuel Johnson, US$19,280 in retroactive salary and benefits, after upholding a ruling that found his dismissal wrongful.
The judgment issued on Tuesday, August 12, 2026, by Judge E. M. Kahnke-Younger, came after a five-year legal battle where the court affirmed an earlier ruling by the National Labour Court in Gbarnga that Johnson’s termination was unlawful and in violation of NTAL’s constitution and due process.
According to the court, the US$19,280 represents unpaid salary and benefits owed to Johnson from the date of his dismissal in 2021 until the time of the ruling. The court ordered NTAL to pay the amount within 30 days or face enforcement measures.
NTAL President Madam Viola Nyenpan, in a brief response, said the association will consult with its legal team before taking further action, while Johnson said the ruling vindicates him and restores his rights.
Johnson’s dismissal sparked nationwide debate within the education sector, with several teacher groups and civil society organizations expressing concern over adherence to due process and the protection of labor rights.
The case drew attention to internal conflicts within NTAL that have periodically disrupted the association’s activities, including efforts to advocate for improved teacher welfare and nationwide education reforms.
In the judgment, the court reiterated the importance of following constitutional provisions of professional associations and protecting members’ rights, noting that the rule of law must guide internal disciplinary processes.
Lawyers for Johnson argued that his removal was politically motivated and lacked the procedural safeguards required by NTAL’s constitution. NTAL’s legal representatives countered that Johnson’s dismissal was justified due to alleged financial mismanagement, but the court found the evidence insufficient to support such claims.
Observers say the ruling could have wider implications for other labor and professional bodies in Liberia, potentially setting a precedent for judicial intervention when internal governance breaches occur.
NTAL has 14 days to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, sources close to the association indicated, while Johnson has called on members to remain calm and continue their work pending any further legal developments.
