PHOTO: Judge Sammy speaking during the ceremony
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia- Although Liberian ended its 14 years civil war way back in 2003, the country’s peace has still been described as “fragile” both internationally and locally.
One of the persons who believes that peace cannot be guaranteed without justice is the resident Circuit Court Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit Court in Lofa County and now assigned Judge at the Sixth Judicial Civil Law Court “A” in the Liberian capital, Nancy F. Sammy.
In her charge at the opening of the June A.D. 2022 term of court on Monday, June 21, 2022, Judge Sammy said, ‘without justice there will be no peace, without peace there will be no unity and without unity, there will be no national development and democracy.’
The young female Judge’s charge was also delivered on behald of Civil Law Court “B”, which is being presided over by Judge Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay.
She said for democracy to flourish in Liberia, there has to be a strong judiciary and to have a strong judiciary, Judicial actors must act in conformity with the constitutional and statutory laws of the country.
Judge Sammy, who spoke on the theme, Greater Efficiency expected in the legal profession, said when justice is achieved, citizens will have confidence in the Judiciary and will not have to revert to mob justice. as has been experienced around Liberia.
The Civil Law Court Judge therefore, reminded her colleagues of the Liberian National Bar Association, that while they as judges have their own responsibilities and duties to perform, they as lawyers they too have share of responsibilities.
She added: “They should keep in mind always that once you have taken the oath as attorneys at law, later as counselors at law of the Honorable Supreme Court of Liberia, you have assumed the responsibility to uphold and defend the constitution and the laws of Liberia as well as looking after the interests of your clients at all times.”
“However, please note that while it is true you have a more sacred duty of safeguarding the interest of their clients, this does not mean that you may hope to win every case, but rather that you should so present your client’s cases as to aid the courts in judging correctly.”
“Hence, it is part of your duty as lawyers that before you undertake any action at law, you have to first hear the facts and then direct and inform your client honestly and correctly upon all legal questions which may be referred to you for your profession opinion adding that another duty you have as lawyers, is to endeavor to settle cases whenever you can without litigation because you are really the first judge of every dispute and as such, you ought to be a conciliator and must never neglect to attempt settlement of a matter.”
Judge Nancy Sammy revealed that there are some lawyers in the constant habit of putting unnecessary bottleneck in the way of the courts by either filing unnecessary summary proceedings against magistrates, or continuously filing flimsy and unnecessary motions or bills of Information before Circuit courts.
She also said that some Lawyers file unnecessary petitions of certiorari with chambers justices against presiding judges or by requesting for endless continuances.
Judge Sammy then urged lawyers to desist from filing unnecessary excuses whenever notice of assignment are issued.
Bar President assures court
For his part, the president of the Liberian National Bar Association President, Cllr. Sylvester Rennie assured Judge Sammy and the two Civil law courts that the Bar will work smoothly to ensure that justice is served.
According to him, recently the Bar came out with a release of which they are seeing early sign which may result to chaos as the 2023 general and presidential elections draw nearer.
Cllr. Rennie lauded Judge Sammy for highlighting the licensing of lawyers before practicing law in any courts, but he called on magistrates to always ask lawyers appearing before them for their license so that they can practice or plead cases.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Solicitor General, Cllr. Saymah Syrenius Cephas expressed agreement with what Judge Sammy’s assertion in her charge, because he said without justice, there will be no democracy, adding that both work together.
The Solicitor General also cited the old adage, “those who come with equity must come with clean hands,” meaning that those magistrates who will be asking other lawyers for license must also be a license as well.
Without credible or independent Judges, the court will become a market ground where the higher bidder will be favor be getting obtaining when those who truly deserve the justice will be left out, Cllr. Cephas said.
He emphasized that the none enforcement of court judgements remains a major challenge in Liberia.