PHOTO: Judge Boima Konto giving his charge
By Emmanuel Mafelah, mafelahemmanuel29@gmail.com
GBARNGA, Liberia- The November Term of Court opened Monday in Bong County, with a charge for judicial actors to dispense justice void of political influence, relationship or favor.
Bong County hosts the Ninth Judicial Circuit and Criminal Court E.
At the formal opening, Resident Circuit Judge J. Boima Konto reminded fellow judicial actors to act within the confines of law, aware that they were not politicians.
“So if anyone is in this court or in the judiciary and is a politician or wanting to be a politician, just resign and go into politics or stay into politics, we wish you farewell,” Judge Konto said.
Judge Konto also admonished them to always walk in wisdom and to guard themselves against being consumed by politics.
Referring to the last term of court, Judge Konto said: “I have a reason to believe that citizens of Bong County were very law abiding or respectful of the law, evident by low cases emerging from the communities.”
For this term of court, there are 36 criminal cases and undisclosed civil cases on the docket, among which are 18 cases on the Sexual Offensive Division.
During the August Term of Court, according to Judge Konto, the court disposed of ten criminal cases, three civil cases and seventeen probation cases in the County.
Bong County Attorney Jonathan N. Flomo, public defenders and all judicial staff were praised for their hard work and commitments during the last term of court and appealed to them to do more in exercising their duties in accordance with the laws of Liberia.
Gathering at the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga
The formal opening of the court was graced by scores of judicial actors including Associates Justice Yussif D. Kaba, Liberia’s former Solicitor General Cllr. J. Darku Mulbah, the President of the Bong County Bar Association, Cllr. Kula L. Jackson, local leaders of Bong County, civil society actors, the media, the security and ordinary citizens.
Meanwhile, Judge Kontoe has disclosed that “We are going to have jury trials for the current term of court, but we will not allow people to violate the health protocols.
The court is open to the public for business, but in so doing our people will have to understand that coronavirus is still in Liberia so you will have to respect the regulation here,” Judge Konto said.
In remarks, Bong County Attorney, Jonathan N. Flomo praised President Weah for his appointment as chief prosecutor of the county.
He also lauded Resident Circuit Judge J. Boima Konto, magistrates and lawyers for the level of support he continues to enjoy in exercising his constitutional mandate, and called on complainants to follow up on their cases in court in order to help prosecutors have speedy trials, something he said would help reduce inmate population at the Gbarnga central prison.
The Bong County Attorney also informed jurors that the service of a jury is a national civic duty and not a money making venture.
He also challenged jurors to be professional and truthful in the discharge of their duties to both the court and those they serve.
Atty. Flomo said the court would arrest, charge, and prosecute any juror caught in acts found to be counterproductive to the discharge of jury duties.
For his part, the President of the Bong County Local Bar Association, Cllr. Kula L. Jackson challenged fellow lawyers to serve the people in keeping with the laws of Liberia.
Also speaking was Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Yussif D. Kaba who called on court workers to observe health protocols despite the low number of confirmed COVID-19 cases being reported in the county.
Speaking further, Justce Kaba expressed disappointment in some magistrates in the constant habit of demanding justice from ordinary citizens needing justice.
He said, “I know that judges need to be paid compared to other government workers, but see our Country. So we have to make the sacrifice.
Do you want to be that judiciary that other countries will emulate or you want to be that judiciary that people will refer to as very corrupt? I know that you are all good people and lawyers”.
He then called on the new magistrates appointed by President Weah to take their jobs very serious, and to discharge their duties with trust at all times.