PHOTO: Chief Justice Francis Korkpor and other Justices of the Supreme Court Bench
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Liberia- Weeks ago it was the Chairman of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. Dempster Brown that called for probe into increasing reports of alleged ritualistic killings around Liberia, and now the head of the highest court in the land wants investigation into such reports.
Speaking at the opening of the Supreme Court for its October Term on Monday, October 11, 2021, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor joined the INCHR Chairman and a host of religious and other civil society groups to call on the CDC government of President George Manneh Weah to properly investigate alleged ritualistic killings in the country.
The Weah government including his Police Inspector General, Patrick Sudue recently outrightly dismissed reports of ritualistic killings in the country, saying only one of such incidents had happened in Pleebo, southeastern Maryland County early this year, while downplaying reported wave of insecurity in Liberia.
Pres Weah entering the Temple of Justice on Monday
Justice Korkpor’s call also comes weeks after indicted former RIA Managing Director Ellen Corkrum made a startling revelation alleging the involving of the Solicitor General of Liberia in sacrificing virgins for ritualistic purposes, a claim he has since denied. Ms. Corkrum also claimed that she was told that similar ritualistic activities are being done for the Minister of State, the Liberian President and other top officials of the CDC government, something the Ministry of Information has also since categorically denied, without the government launching any probe.
But Chief Justice Korkpor said whether, real, orchestrated or imagined, these reports of ritualistic killings need to be investigated and appropriate actions taken.
In his opening address for the October A.D term of Court, the Chief Justices said that Judges and magistrates will not shy away from their responsibility to do the right thing at all times, stressing that they ‘will continue to decide cases based on facts and laws appertaining thereto and not on any pressure or influence.’
Attacks on Judges must also be probed
The head of the Supreme Court has also called on functionaries of the government responsible to investigate attack on judges, justices and ordinary people and also want for the security apparatus to be robust in playing their rightful roles.
According to him, it is not enough to just condemn these wanton acts.
The cases must be handled to their logical conclusions, the Chief Justice said, adding that law enforcement officers should not wait until a Justice, judge or magistrate becomes a fatal victim before actions are taken.
Chief Justice Korkpor then cited as an example recent attack on Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court A of Montserrado County; and Judge Roland Dahn of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Nimba County, respectively.
The Liberian Chief Justice attributed the numerous attack on Justices, judges and magistrates at the result of false Publication made some media institutions and Facebook platforms which justices, judges and magistrates constantly receive threats of harm.
Justice Korkpor further narrated that the intent of the attackers is to intimidate, create a chilling effect and undermine the rule of law.
“As we see it, threats of physical harm to person present, the worst form of influence that can be exerted over that person and it appears now that perpetrators have determined that mere accusations and verbal threats have not created their desired impact, so in recent times, they have embarked on putting their threatening words into action,” the Chief Justice said.
He revealed that on March 12, 2021, Associate Justice Joseph N. Nagbe was attacked by unknown people who threw what is referred to as Petrol bomb in his yard. And recently, the homes of Judges Roosevelt Z. Willie and Roland Dahn were targeted and viciously attacked by people believed to be armed robbers, something the head of the highest court in the land said ‘should not go unnoticed without investigation’.
Need to increase Judiciary budget
At the same time, Chief Justice Korkpor has called on the executive and Legislature to increase the budget of the Judiciary because the continue low budgetary allotment is causing serious problem for the Judiciary Branch of Government where many Circuit and Magisterial Courts are operating from individuals’ homes or premises a situation which is seriously hindering the administration of justice.
Justice Min. Dean admits the need to address violence
For his, part, the Justice Minister and Attorney General of the Republic of Liberia Frank Musa Dean said without the Judiciary Branch of government, there will be no democracy.
Minister Dean also thanked the Chief Justice and Associate Justices for their tireless efforts in building capacity programs at the Judiciary, as well as the Physical facilities of court across the country.
The Justice Minister added that violence against persons and properties should be discouraged strongly. And worst of all, Cllr. Dean added, court order cannot be enforced due to fear of violence but indicated that his Ministry is committed to addressing the violence situation.
In his response to the Chief Justice opening address, the Liberian Justice Minister decried lawlessness, but rather encouraged Liberians to respect the rule of law.
Minister Dean added that violence is a societal problems, which needs the collective efforts of everyone to eliminate it.
The Supreme Court opening was attended by President Weah, First Lady Clar Weah, Senate President Pro Tempore, Albert Chie; House Speaker, Bhofal Chambers and Finance Minister, Samuel D. Tweah.