PHOTO: The fallen Associate Justice Joseph Nagbe
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia- At a news conference here, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) has said it is troubled by the prolonged vacancy on the Supreme Court Bench, since the death of the late Associate Justice Joseph N. Nagbe months ago.
According to LNBA President, Cllr. Sylvester Rennie, that vacancy created by the death of the late Associate Justice is seriously hindering the workings of the Supreme Court.
Speaking to Journalists yesterday, Monday, June 10, 2024, he wondered that in the event of a constitutional crisis, ‘how will the Supreme Court Bench go ahead with hearing of such matters?’
Cllr. Rennie disclosed that the failure of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai to appoint an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court is currently causing delay with the hearing of some major cases.
The Bar is therefore, calling on the Executive and Legislative Branches of government to see reason in providing additional budgetary allocations to the Judiciary for FY-2024, thereby strengthening the coordination of the three Branches of Government as provided for under Article 3 of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
The President of the LNBA added that besides the low budgetary appropriation to the Judiciary, has observed and is informed about the lack of incentives for state prosecutors which has undermined the work of the prosecution and dampened the spirit and morale of the prosecutors.
For instance, Cllr. Rennie said that the lack of fees for the prosecution of cases, the provision of vehicles for state prosecutors, adequate salaries and benefits for state prosecutors, have all affected that aspect of the justice sector.
Meanwhile, the Bar is also calling on President Joseph Boakai’s government and his “Rescue Mission” to give immediate attention to state prosecutors by providing adequate incentives that will boost the morale of the prosecutors so as to ensure that justice is served out people.