PHOTO: Judge Boima Kontoe giving his charge on Monday
By J. Peter S. Dennis, dennisrealone@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The ninth (9th) Judicial Circuit Court and the Sexual Criminal Court “E” to try sexual offenses have opened for the August here in the central Bong County, with the Resident Judge giving a caveat to Lawyers, while a Liberian cleric advises Judges not to take bribe.
The opening witnessed the highest attendance in recent years, with over 300 lawyers, judges, jurors, lawyers, baileys, county officials, magistrates, counsellors and ordinary citizens present. One of the newest Representatives of Bong, James M. Kolleh- a law student was also among others who attended the program today, Monday, August 8, 2022 at the court building located on Lofa Road,
Delivering his charge, the resident Circuit Judge, J. Boima Kontoe appreciated the Chief Justice of Liberia, Francis S. Korkpor Sr. for confidence imposed in him to preside over the court for another term, promising of dispensing justice with impartiality.
Judge Kontoe has however given a caveat to Lawyer against delaying cases in the wake of overcrowded court dockets.
He said he has been taken aback at the attitude of some members of the Bong County Local Bar Association for what he considers as ‘a lack of commitment to the local bar”.
He admonished lawyers to understand their cases through new dynamism, rather than the usual narration of witnesses.
By doing so, Judge Kontoe intimated that it will save time and reduce the court’s docket.
The 9th Judicial Circuit Court Judge also warned the newly recruited jurors to serve with distinction and integrity to ensure justice isn’t undermined.
“Let me urge you to serve with integrity. Your selection shouldn’t be like other experiences we have had where you will be clapping or sharing victories after our charges and others. Don’t be like that! Please be professional,” Judge Kontoe charged.
Responding to the Judge’s charge, the President of the Bong County Bar Association, Cllr. Kula Jackson concurred with Rev. Moses Myakpan for maintaining the integrity of the Justice System.
The opening of the commenced beyond 11:15AM rather than the usual 10AM is in line with section 3.8 of the judicial law of Liberia.
“Each judicial circuit shall meet four times a year in quarterly sessions. The First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Judicial Circuits of the Circuit Court shall open their quarterly sessions on the second Monday in February, May, August, and November in each year. The quarterly sessions of these circuits shall be entitled the February, May, August and November sessions”.
Cleric advised Judges against receiving bribe
Giving the invocation, Rev. Moses Myakpan [from Exodus 23:6-9] urged judges against bribery. According to Rev. Myakpan, maintaining the integrity of the justice system is the hallmark of the country.
He stressed that fearing the Lord and regarding men is cardinal to the function and adherence to the system; arguing that the system can only attract investors if the justice system is credible.
Rev. Myakpan didn’t state what triggered his assertion, but the Liberian Judiciary has in recent times been strongly criticized for alleged acts of corruption in United States Human Rights reports and other local reports.
Lack of logistics for the Judiciary and deplorable housing facilities highlighted
Also speaking during the opening ceremony, the County Magisterial Court coordinator, Titus Railey decried the lack of typewriters, deployable housing facilities that host various courts in the county, among others as challenges confronting them. He is seeking a timely redress to ensure dignity to the judicial system.
“Your Honor and everyone in here; let me register with grief that our courts are challenged. They lack as common as typewriters, the facilities that host our court are in deployable conditions, among other challenges. Our magistrates are suffering- in fact, we are suffering. There is a need for timely redress from government and partners,” he lamented.
Also speaking at the occasion was Bong County Representative James M. Kolleh- of electoral district#2 who expressed regrets over the judicial mounting challenges the judicial system is said to be facing.
Rep. Kolleh promised to inform the requisite authority regarding the situation for redress.
Crowded court docket
Currently, there are 97 cases on the courts dockets.
Of the number, 33 are sexual offense cases while 64 are criminal cases.
The 64 criminal cases include 18 murder cases, 17 armed robbery cases, 17 aggravated assault cases, 4 illicit trafficking cases, one misapplication of trusted property case, one theft of property case, and one criminal attempt to commit murder case, the court clerk told journalists minutes after the opening.