By Tokpa Tarnue-tarnue822@gmail.com
Voinjama, Liberia- The 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Voinjama,, Lofa County has opened its May Term of Court with calls for Magistrates and Judges of specialized Courts to uphold the rule of law and dispense justice without fear or favor.
The Circuit Judge, Nancy Finda Sammy delivering her charge this week extended thanks and appreciation to Magistrates and Judges of specialized Courts for the continues efforts, despites the numerous challenges faced during the time of work.
Judge Sammy cautioned Magistrates and Judges of various Courts in the County to work in strong collaboration and be proactive in handling and fast-tracking cases and dispensing justice without fear or favor.
She said this will move the judicial system in the County forward.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Court Judge however disclosed that for the May AD 2019 Term of Court, there are 13 cases on the Trial Docket, which comprises seven (7) criminal cases and six (6) civil cases, while 44 is on Court Docket.
Judge Sammy further called on both the prosecutions and Public Defenders teams to fast-track these cases during this May Term of Court to help reduce the over crowdedness on the Court and Tria Dockets.
In response, Lofa County Attorney and Head of Prosecution, Cllr. J. Luther Sumo said the Judicial system must be and will always be respected at all level, recalling the two murdered and rape cases that were adjudicated during the February Term of Court at the 10th Judicial Circuit Court.
Cllr. Sumo promised that the prosecution will not rest in ensuring that those behind bars for alleged rape and murdered cases are indicted and assigned for prosecution during this May Term of Court.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Lofa County Superintendent, William Tamba Kamba, who called on the Justice Ministry to help decentralize prison facilities across Lofa County.
Superintendent Kamba emphasized that decentralizing prison facilities across the County will help reduce transportation cost faced by Magistrates and will also reduce the burden of over crowdedness at the Voinjama Central Prison in Lofa County.
The ceremony brought together Magistrates, Judges, members of the Lofa Bar Association, Liberia National Bar Association, County Authorities, Lofa County Branch of the Liberia Marketing Association, Religious and Traditional groups, the Joint security, government officials, local stakeholders, CSOs and as well as the ordinary citizens and residents of Lofa County.