PHOTO: Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe, LNBA President
By Charles Gbayor, maorethason1997@gmail.com
HARPER, Liberia- The 4th Judicial Circuit Court in Maryland County has officially opened for its May Term of Court in this city, with the Liberian Bar Association (LNBA) President cautioning Judges amid the entrenched nature of corruption in the Liberian society.
Speaking in this southeastern city, which is situated more than 637 kilometers from Monrovia, Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe asserted that “corruption is seriously killing this country (Liberia) in many different sectors, we need to stop.”
The LNBA President warned presiding Judge Geeplah Tiklo Konton to avoid corruption and bribe, as he begins the investigation of cases.
He said if the court house must regain its confidence, court actors and lawyers must be free from such unwholesome act.
The opening session of the May term of court was graced by lawyers, judges and local and national leaders in the Maryland County and the Country at large.
Speaking at the opening session, Judge Konton challenged residents in local communities, not to compromise cases because according to him it undermines due the process of law.
“Adhering to due process of Law,” was the theme of his charge.
Judge Konton assured the public, mainly those in the County that due process will be actually observed in dealing with cases.
Judge Konton
On the other hand, the 4th Judicial Circuit Court Judge of Maryland County cautioned the police to fully and properly investigate cases and ensure the cause of a case is established in order for due process to take its course.
Currently, the court has some three dozen cases. Twenty three of them are civil cases while seven are criminal cases, among others.
But due to the recent storming and vandalizing of the Harper Central by protesting mob, there is currently no functional prison facility in this city.