By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
KAKATA, Liberia- The presiding Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Kakata, Margibi County, Joe S. Barkon has cautioned Liberian media institutions, especially talk show hosts to uphold the basic tenets of journalism, in order not to trigger electoral violence, as the December 8 elections nears.
He called for accurate, balance and fair reporting of news and other stories, void of party or individual interest which may trigger electoral violence.
Judge Barkon was speaking on Monday, November 9, 2020, when he delivered his formal charge for the November Term of Court opening.
On the Court’s docket this term are 52 Criminal and 16 Civil cases
The Judge said the media should always maintain their responsible role as “watchdogs” of the society in reporting the truth without biases.
Lawyers and others during the court opening
According to him, history has always reminded the world and continues to remind all us about the genocide which took place in the Republic of Rwanda in 1994, which took away more than 800,000 precious lives. He said the Radio in that country broadcast hate speech which triggered genocide.
The act of politicians, tribal people, and even the journalists held talk show discussions that were inimical to the peace of Rwanda.
The November term of court presiding Judge in Kakata added that his words of caution should serve as a guide to all of us as we jealously preserve and protect the peace of our country irrespective of the differences in ideologies and associations.”
Judge Barkon also encouraged all Liberian political actors, their supporters and stakeholders of this nation to exercise a high degree of tolerance and maturity, while campaigning in order to avoid and form of electoral violence that could derail or undermine the peace of our country, especially having known from hence we have come.
He reminded them that the nation has come out of a terrible and brutal 14 years civil war that devastated the entire country.
In his charge, Judge Barkon also cautioned magistrates and judges who preside over cases should be impartial, independent, knowledgeable of the law and should not allow themselves to be influenced financially or by any other means; either by a party litigant or a lawyer in a case to make decisions in his or her favor against the other party.
By doing so, the presiding Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court said it will cause the public not to have trust in the court system of our country and they may resort taking the laws into their own hands.
This will undermine the peace, stability and growth and development of our country, Judge Barkon noted.
He spoke on the topic: the administration of Justice in cases before the court.
In response to his charge, Margibi County Attorney Deddeh Johnson Wilson said, she’s in agreement with what judge has delivered.
The County Attorney added that dispensing Justice without fear or favor should be the Hallmark of all lawyers given that everyone is equal before the law.
Cllr. Johnson through the Ministry Justice pledged to fully corporate with the newly assigned presiding Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court through the administration of Justice.
For his part, Atty. M. Kron Yongbe Sr. of the Public Defense Office said the administration of Justice is in tow forms, people who can afford money and people who can’t afford money but said to seeking justice.
Atty. Yongbe disclosed that currently there are 138 inmates at the Kakata Central prison. A number that is very huge for the prison facility.
He however,pledged the defense team corporation to the judge through the administration of Justice.
Meanwhile, the President of the Margibi County Bar, Cllr. Williams B. Kollie expressed that lawyers should be able to protect the integrity of the judiciary through their respective decisions.
Cllr. Kollie who was recently appointed as assistant Court Administrator called on lawyers not to deny anyone who in pursuit of Justice because of money.
He urged lawyers to be ethical in all that they do because everyone has a ‘role to play in maintaining the peace we all enjoy today through the decisions we make.’