By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
GRAND CAPE MT., Liberia- The Resident Circuit Court judge of Grand Cape Mount County in the west of this country, Ousman F. Feika has on Monday alarmed over insecurity against him and properties in the midst of inadequate salary and benefits for judges.
Judges outside of Montserrado County continue to live in fear due to the lack of assign security to them.
Delivering his charge for the May Term of Court, Judge Feika said notwithstanding the risks associated the work they do and the physical threats, they will continue to dispense justice in line with the laws of Liberia.
“We are therefore calling on the appropriate authorities to take the necessary steps aimed at remedying these challenges so that respect can once again be restored to the offices they occupy,” Judge Feika added.
He further stated that it no secret that his home was attacked a forthnight ago by armed robbers and a lot of valuable taken away including fuel for his vehicle and all of his food items.
“The question then is, how can I perform my duties as a judge when my security is not guaranteed? The judge questioned the Judiciary.”
The Circuit Court Judge in Cape Mount urged the police and other security apparatus in the county to step up and take full responsibility of the security in this county.
Judge Feika, who disclosed that the court currently has 6 criminal cases and 9 civil cases on its docket, explained that they are still trying to cope with the trauma associated with what transpired at his home about a week ago.
Notwithstanding, he said they shall endeavour to fully carry out their responsibilities as entrusted to them by the constitution and laws of the Republic.
“While, we carry out this colossal responsibility, we continue to be challenged by inadequate compensation and benefits befitting the role judges play and the contribution they make to this country on a daily basis.”
The February, May, August and November term of court openings are in line with Chapter 3 section 3.8 of the New Judiciary law of Liberia and the revised Circuit Court rules, which mandate that Circuit Court shall open in the above months mentioned.
In response to his charge delivered, Atty. Nyonkpao R. G. Daye, the assigned County Attorney said they as state Prosecutors are on go slow, but that he attended the court’s opening to answer to his name.
Atty. Daye state prosecutors will not assign cases until their demands listed by their leaders are met.
The County Attorney blamed the society for the massive corruption against judges.
Atty. Daye urged citizens to be persistent in pursuing their cases and keep knocking at their doors until their cases are concluded and further stressed that judges shouldn’t be blame for a decision made but rather those who usually serve as jurors.
He also regret the incident which occurred at the Judge’s residence a week ago.
For his part, one of the Public Defenders of Cape Mount County, Preston Chea Doe urged jurors to always make a sound decisions in cases, describing them as one of the senior decision makers in the Court.
Meanwhile, Cllr. A. Kundukai Jaleibah, an executive member of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) said magisterial court in rural places are not clearly presented in term of logistics issues.
He urged both defense and state lawyers to work out modality to have public Defenders assigned at rural magisterial courts in order to reduce burden of cases from the Circuit Court.
As for the Armed Robbery incident on the judge, he said it is the first of its kind to hear such news but asked the joint security forces to take charge of the matter.
Cllr. Jaleibah also urged lawyers to work within the confine of the laws and City solicitor from rural places should be included for former court opening because of their numerous sacrifices they continue to make.