PHOTO: Judge J. Kennedy Peabody
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TUBMANBURG, Liberia- Many citizens including some stakeholders blame the judiciary or courts for delay in cases, but the presiding judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Tubmanburg, Bomi County has questioned the role of stakeholders in the Administration of Justice in the county.
Judge J. Kennedy Peabody was delivering his charge during the opening of the February term of court. His theme was: The Need For Stakeholders Participation and Coordination For The Efficient and Effective Delivery of Justice,
Speaking on Monday February 8, 2021. Judge Peabody asked whether anyone in the society today visited the prison compound as stakeholders to ensure that the place is adequate and conducive for human beings. “Do we sit and say it is the responsibility of the government and the Judiciary when our brothers and sisters have no mattress to sleep on, no food to eat? Howbeit, this is where the participation and Coordination of stakeholders come in,” said the 11th Judicial Circuit Court Judge.
He therefore said the coordination and participation of shareholders in the administration of Justice are very important, if efficiency, speedy dispensation of Justice and fairness are desired.
Judge Peabody called on all shareholders to participate in the operation and dispensation of Justice to effectively work together to achieve a common goal.
To effectively work to ensure that Justice is not only done but seen to be done, Judge Peabody underscored the need for stakeholders’ participation and Coordination in the court cannot be over emphasized judge Peabody added.
He said the objective of the participation and Coordination is to bring together different institutions with different mandates but with one goal of ensuring effective Justice for all.
Judge Peabody in his charge maintained that it is appropriate to criticize the court or some times commend where necessary.
“Some times you express your thanks for proficiency, commitment and dedication by judicial officers but what are you doing to have the court run smoothly to meet the end of Justice? For the court to have proper and adequate performance and the availability and accessible of basic modern logistics to enhance effectiveness, you are to complement the effort of national government and the judiciary because you are the direct beneficiaries. It is an undisputed fact that citizens and residents of Bomi county benefit from the Court, you are the owners of the court, this why it is called the 11th Judicial Circuit Court, Bomi county and not the 11th judicial Circuit Court of the judiciary,” the 11th Judicial Circuit Court Judge said.
Judge Peabody asserted that shareholders’ participation and Coordination in the administration of Justice is very important in terms of Justice delivery.
He said they need to engage in frequent and fruitful interactions that will lead to positive and visible changes in the judiciary which are of utmost importance.
Responding to the charge, the President of the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), PCllr. Gongloe said what was delivered by judge Peabody has been said by so many judges, but once the problem is identified, it is easier to find solutions.
Cllr. Gongloe said Judges in Liberia should dispense Justice void of interest because they are the priest of Justice. “That’s why Justice is blind,” the Bar Association President said.
Because of local prejudice in the counties, many of those prisoners behind bars rights have been violated, according to Cllr. Gongloe
The LNBA President added that if the court can maintain it neutrality, the judiciary will have much support adding that people who hold the Gable must be above everyone.
As a means of decongesting the prison facilities in Liberia, judges should periodically send their sheriff to check on prisoners and know what they are there for.
Cllr Gongloe indicated that no criminal case should go for more than 15 days and no civil case should go for more than 30 days and called him to ask if the Ministry of Justice can prosecute a case after two terms of court.
He said they as judges should dismiss such a case, which will also help to decongest the prison facilities and the violation of human rights will be minimized.