PHOTO: Liberia’s Chief Justice performing the ceremony
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Just days after admitting that the Liberian Judiciary is not free from corrupt practices, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Francis S. Korkpor today, Thursday, May 13, 2021 commissioned the Judge of the National Labor Court, His Honor Joseph M. Kollie.
On Monday during the opening of the May Term of the Circuit Courts in Monrovia, Chief Justice Korkpor said he has noticed that Judges are involved in bribery and cautioned them to desist from the practice because it is tarnishing the image of the Judicial Branch of the government.
During the commissioning program at the Temple of Justice, Chief Justice Korkpor said whenever a judge is appointed it is the President of the Republic of Liberia that Commission them.
President George Manneh Weah should have constitutionally performed this task, but he was conspicuously absent.
Justice Korkpor however said given the tight schedule of the president, he was given the responsibility to perform both the commissioning and seat of the Judge, the Chief Justice said.
The head of the Liberian Judiciary revealed that to appoint a judge requires processes which include selecting and vetting.
He further told those who graced the commissioning and seating of the judge that whenever there is a vacancy, he usually write the local or national Bar who can recommend and send him names, adding that all judges in various counties hailed from those counties except Montserrado County.
The National Labour court vacancy came the result of the resident judge who was recently pensioned.
Chief Justice Korkpor told the newly National Labor Court judge that as he occupy his position which is one of most important courts in the Judiciary because it deals with relationship matters between Employees and employers where both of them rights should be protected.
If the case is in favor of the employer or investors, it is shouldn’t be slept under the carpet because Liberian is involved but rather let the law be the light on both side and also cautioned the Judge to be on top of his game in dispensing Justice fairly which will bring credibility to both the judge and the Judiciary Chief Justice Korkpor added.
He called him to fear nothing but to do the wrong even criticism will be there and cases shouldn’t be delay.
For his part, the newly Judge Joseph M. Kollie, his court is dedicated court which deals with rights and when it is temper with, it brings instability.
Judge Kollie assured his colleagues and Judiciary that he will not disappoint them and will dispense Justice without fear, favor, association and affection.
He promised that every ruling that will be done, will be in line with the laws what it says or requires.
Also speaking at the Commissioning ceremony was the Liberian National Bar President Cllr. Tiawon S. Gongloe he is grateful that President Weah has listened to their cry by allowing the Bar to do the selecting and vetting processes of appointed lawyers.
Cllr. Gongloe said everything that was said by the newly Judge has been said by others thereafter, they are the worst of all but called on him to do things by the law and conscience.
He cautioned him not to accept gifts from anyone but he should live within the scope of his income because the job he is now occupying requires isolation and as a public servant now he has no secret.
Also speaking at the occasion, the president of the National Trial Judges Association of Liberia (NTAL) and also Chief Judge of the Commercial Court Judge Eva Mappy Morgan judges are not involved with popularity contest but to uphold the rule of law.
She also stressed that judges should an understanding heart and there is no secret of judges been criticize but cautioned him to make their Judicial Canon as their Bible.
Judge Morgan said judges are called to be accountable and must do away with said responsibility.
The Commercial Court Chief Judge also narrated that judges are ought to be tolerance and Provide space for free and responsible speech.
This why is responsible lawyers should keep their clients inform about the processes in the Judiciary but the failure or perceived failure to take responsibility and provide the relevant information pertaining to matters before the courts, is causing serious injury and harm to judges and by extension to the public.
The program was graced by the Justice Minister Frank Musa Dean, Labor Minister, legal advisor to President Weah Archieboy Bonald among others.