As Judges And Justices Need Protection During And After Active Service
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Even before the recent killing of Ex-Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott’s daughter in Brewerville, there have been numerous complaints from Judges and Justices concerning threats on their lives and homes, but what did the Judiciary do to address threats against judges and Justices?
In recent times, Judges and Justices have complained about arson and other criminal attacks on their homes. But despite those reports by Judges, the Judiciary has not one day summoned the Ministry of Justice officials or see reason to assign armed police officers at their homes.
Some analysts blame the Liberia National Police and the Judiciary for not being proactive to act on the alarm raised by Justice Scott. Proactive “means to willingly initiate behavior or produce circumstances that address issues before they arise. The opposite of being proactive is to be reactive, in which you respond to events after they occur.”
Scholars speak of a number of unintended consequences arising from not being proactive. The National Library of Medicine in the United States says:
“Unintended consequences of being proactive? Linking proactive personality to coworker envy, helping, and undermining, and the moderating role of prosocial motivation.”
The Judiciary heard former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott complaining about threat on her life and that of her children, yet the Judiciary didn’t pressure the Executive to do anything to address them, until the attack and killing of her daughter who was a prospective graduate of the Starz College in Sinkor, Monrovia.
It can be recalled sometime last year, Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice home was attacked by unknown men, Judge Roland Dahn of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Nimba County home was also attacked including Judge Ousman Feika of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Grand County Cape Mount County. All of this passed off without the leadership of the Judiciary addressing these incidents or to finding remedies to the Judges’ cries. Liberian Judges Appeal For Armed Police Officers To Guard Them – News Public Trust
Judges have on numerous occasions cried for armed security officers to be assigned with them but it has been failing on dead grounds.
Judges and Justices are often seen standing by the road side stopping vehicles after their retirement without being protected which put their lives at risk. Something the National Trial Judges Association of Liberia have decried and continues to cry on the government to provide them security but it has all fell on dead grounds.
With this sad incident afflicting former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott lead to stock-taking? Will the current and former Judges’ cries for state security officers fall on fertile soil, so that security officers can be assigned to them or will the status quo remain unchanged?
FLASHBACK: Below is the report this media outlet did by flagging Judge Feika Judge’s Charge in May 2022. Liberian Judges Appeal For Armed Police Officers To Guard Them – News Public Trust
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.
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.