PHOTO: Judge Ousman Feika made the call on Judges behalf
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- The security threat level within the circle of Liberian Judged has probably gone up, with the jurist increasingly feeling the need to have armed police assigned to them.
The assigned Judge at Criminal Court “D”, Ousman F. Feika delivering the charge on behalf of his colleagues, has informed the Chief Justice and other justice actors that they (Judges want armed police officers assigned to them, due to threats against their lives and families.
Judge Feika made the disclosure at the opening of the May A.D. 2022 term of court today, Monday, May 9, 2022.
Delivering his charge at the court opening, the Criminal Court “D) Judge said there is a serious concern amongst judges resulting from callous and life-threatening attacks on their persons, families and homes.
Armed Liberian Police officers are from the Emergency Response Unit (ERU) and the PSU
He recalled that last year, two Circuit Courts judges, namely Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” and Judge Roland Dahn of the eighth judicial circuit court in Nimba County had their homes attacked.
“While we do not know the motives behind the attacks on judges, it is now an imperative that judges be provided armed security guards preferable trained armed judicial security officers to provide protection for judges and their families notwithstanding the very serious role judges play in our society,” he added”.
According to him, as result, judges and their families are so vulnerable to attacks from unscrupulous individuals in our society.
The Criminal Court “D” judge said the attack on them and their families need to stop and it is their expectation that the relevant authorities will take the appropriate steps to initiate or re-initiate programs for the protection of judges and their families across the country.
As we commence this May A.D. 2022, term of the first judicial circuit, criminal assizes A, B,C and D, we do so bearing in mind that the court is the last place of hope for actors to ensure that the court remains accessible to all and the same time ensure that justice is served without any precondition.
He told lawyers appearing before the first Judicial Circuit, Criminal assizes A,B,C and D this May A.D 2022, term of court, we wish to remind you of the enormous responsibilities imposed upon you by Code of Moral and professional ethics.
Furthermore, respect for the court as outlined in the Revised Rules of Court shall be our guiding principle and we will not hesitate to apply the law to the full extent possible if there appears to be attempt(s) by any lawyer or group of lawyers to test our resolve in maintaining respect and sanctity of the court.
We therefore encouraged lawyers appearing before the Courts during this term to ensure that their engagement with court will based squarely on the law and nothing less and we shall all endeavor to maintain a relationship with lawyers which enhances respect for judges, the court and the rule of law.
Meanwhile, Judge Feika admonished magistrates, lawyers, ministerial officers and clerical staff to continue to do their utmost best “as we all strive to provide quality services to our people and country adding that their chambers shall remain opened and accessible to all of you so that together we can all work towards upholding the rule of law which is the uncompromising resolve for which we have been called.”
For her part, Judge Nancy Sammy of the tenth Judicial Circuit Court and the president of the national trial Judges association of Liberia re-echoed that the judiciary is corrupt and needs serious attention.
This, she said is necessary in order to protect the names of those of them who are part because the public has that perception that the judges are all corrupt.
Judge Sammy also said that in the rural parts of the country, access to justice is a complete hell because some magistrates create unnecessary bottom neck in order to scare residents or citizens from accessing justice.
Also speaking, the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) Vice President, Cllr. Jamal Dehtho said he has taken note that the LNBA will champion the call for judges to get protection in discharging their duties.
Cllr. Dehtho added that the LNBA has received lot of complaints against lawyers on ethical conduct and also disrespecting the court and called on lawyers to stop telling their clients that judges need money to approve their bond.