Vows That His Administration Will Be Robust
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay has promised that his administration will be robust and result-oriented.
“Chief Justice Gbeisay will be a man of few words; I intend to talk less but do more,” he emphasized. “Therefore, much emphasis will be placed on performance,” the new Chief Justice said this on Wednesday, when he and the newly appointed Associate Justice, Cllr. Boakai Kanneh officially took over at the Temple of Justice on Capitol Hill.
“ In this regard, we are transforming the Inspectorate Division of the Judiciary to the Judiciary Monitoring and Evaluation Division (JM&ED) to be headed by a Counsellor-at-Law,” Justice Gbeisay stated.
According to him, this Division will conduct constant inspection, monitoring and evaluation of all court facilities and personnel throughout the country.
” The Division will also be required to analyze the returns of all judges and magistrates and establish statistical data reflecting the number of cases disposed of by judges and magistrates and how many of these cases were confirmed or reversed by the Supreme Court,”” he added.
He emphasized that the Information compiled and collated by the Division will be essential in making critical financial and administrative decisions. In this new dispensation, we need to grade our judges and make the judiciary a performance-based institution.
Gbeisay made the assertion at the formal ceremonial sitting to welcome him, as chief justice and Cllr. Boakai Kanneh, as Associate Justice.
“I am aware that there are many good judges who have continued to make sacrifices over the years to improve the system. I am aware that the salaries and benefits of judges are still inadequate for our judges. I am equally aware that Liberian judges are not among the least paid,” Gbeisay emphasized.
He however paid tribute to the outgoing Chief Justice, life is a stage or theater.
“When you are given the opportunity to appear on it, you must meet the challenge and perform to the best of your ability. So, I speak for my Colleague as well, when I say that we have come ready and prepared to perform.,” Gbeisay indicated.
“We express profound gratitude to our Esteemed Colleagues on the Bench. From the time of our nomination to confirmation and commissioning, you have been with us every step of the way,” he praise his colleagues.
“Madam Senior Associate Justice, Your Honor Jamesetta Howard Wolokollie, whom I often referred to as doyen of the Bench, Mr. Justice Yussif D. Kaba, undoubtedly an erudite legal jurist of our time, and Madam Justice Cleaneh Clinton-Johnson, we say thank you for your support,” he added.
According to him, the work of the Supreme is a collective responsibility, no one person knows it all, and no one person can do it all.
“Though I have been chosen as the spokesperson and administrative head, I am only one amongst equals. I have come with open arms as a team player. I will consult all of you from time to time on crucial decisions before they are made.,” he said.
“I therefore ask for your continuous support. I have no doubt that together, we can make our Judiciary what it ought to truly be,” he said.
He said, he will work along with the Institute in developing special short-term training courses to sharpen the knowledge and skill of judges and court staff.
“We take particular note of some of our judges who often fail in their final rulings to clearly articulate the facts of cases, state the issues(s) presented and enter analytical rulings supported by current laws or precedence. We will no longer accept rulings of judges whose only reliance is found in the phrase “in the mind of the court” or “law writers have said.
These are not authorities to rely on. We do not know what is in the mind of the court. Judges must read extensively so that they will know and apply the relevant laws in support of the decisions they make,” Gbeisay indicated.
” We will mandatorily require that henceforth judges remain in their circuits at the end of the jury term to handle non-jury and administrative matters. In that way, the county attorneys and public defenders will be compelled to remain in their assigned areas instead of coming to Monrovia to wait for the next term of court.” he said.
“This is not fair, especially to our people in the leeward counties. Under the law, the Supreme Court regulates the practice of law and conduct of lawyers. In this regard, we will initiate concrete steps to ensure that lawyers remain in line with the professional practice of law. We have observed many missteps and sometimes outright legal malpractices, especially by young lawyers who try to invent or manufacture evidence on behalf of their clients, where there is no evidence.” he added.
He added, Land dispute matters have become a nightmare for our courts. We will work with the National Archives, the Liberia Land Authority and other related agencies to put in place mechanisms to detect and curb land and We will give priority to cases involving criminal conveyance.
”I assure you that during my tenure, there will be zero tolerance for corruption and ethical malpractice by judicial actors, whether a judge, a lawyer or support staff. We will work to ensure that the Judiciary is a place where justice is served to all, the rich or poor, irrespective of color, creed or political connections.”
Chief Justice Gbeisay expressed whether the constant talk of corruption in the Judiciary is real or perceived, we will put systems in place and take necessary actions as preventative measures. For example: a) signs and signages will be placed on judicial premises in the clear view of the public warning everyone against indulging in the Offering or taking of bribes and other forms of corruption; b) CCTVs or Security cameras will be installed in strategic locations and special cell phone numbers will be provided in all the courts in the Republic so that employees of the judiciary engaged in corrupt acts will be promptly reported to the office of the Chief Justice; c) Certain judicial officers, like the sheriffs and curators, etc., will be required to post indemnity bond, so that, if and when money entrusted to them is not accounted for, there is an avenue for refund, and d) we will reinforce the mandate and authority of the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) and the Grievance and Ethics Commission (GEC).
Speaking on behalf of President Boakai was Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung who said, the appointment and commissioning of His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr. as Chief Justice and His Honor Boakai N. Kanneh, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court by the President of Liberia is a solemn responsibility entrusted to them, to dispense justice without fear or favor, to uphold the Constitution with courage, and to ensure that equality before the law is not merely an aspiration but a daily reality.
Vice President Kound expressed that As they assume their high offices, let us be reminded that justice is the comerstone of peace, stability, and progress. Where justice thrives, trust in public institutions deepens; where justice fails, the fabric of society weakens!
”It is therefore the collective duty of the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary to safeguard the independence of this Honorable Court, ensuring that it remains above partisan interests and rely solely on the principles of fairness and truth” he added
“I wish to reaffirm this Government’s unwavering commitment to upholding the separation of powers and to respecting the sacred independence of the Judiciary. We recognize that a strong, impartial, and efficient Judiciary is essential to good governance and national development” Liberia Vice President narrated.
“To the newly seated Chief Justice and Associate Justice, we extend our heartfelt congratulations.
We urge you to discharge your duties with integrity, humility, and an abiding sense of service to the Liberian people.”
Vice President Koung concluded that The nation looks to you for wisdom, impartiality, and courage in the face of challenges.May your stewardship on this Bench further strengthen public confidence in the Judiciary and inspire future generations to uphold justice and truth.
For his part, the Liberian National Bar Association President Cllr. Bornor M. Varmah pleaded the Bar’s full support to the Bench and promised to work with them in enforcing the rule of law.