BY: Shallon S. Gonlor
SANNIQUELLIE, NIMBA CO. — The Resident Judge of the Sexual Offenses Division Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit in Sanniquellie has urged citizens and local county authority of Nimba to desist from violating court proceedings, but to uphold the rule of law.
Judge Musa S. Sidibey, in his charge delivered Monday, August 12, 2024 during the August Term of Court opening in Sanniquellie called for adherence to the values, principles and procedures of the law as set out in the 1986 Constitution of Liberia through the three branches of government.
His honor, Sidibey emphasized that the court is the last place of hope for mankind on earth, urging citizens against violent acts and wrongful court proceedings.
Judge Sidibey said the court has over the years observed local county officials inciting the citizenry against the court, thereby paralyzing and hampering the smooth administration of justice in the county.
He said the Judiciary Branch of government is committed to dispensing justice to all regards of status in compliance with the rule of law. He added that the court is underpinned by shared values and principles, including democracy, respect for the rule of law and prosecution.
Judge Musa S. Sidibey is calling on all aggrieved parties and citizens including local government authority to respect the rule of law, and desist from unlawful acts, noting the role of each of the branches of government to carry out their respective responsibilities is constitutional.
Among several conditions confronting the court, Judge Sidibeyraised concerns about the alarming land cases in Nimba, the unprofessional conduct of lawyers and the interference in the judicial matters by local authority due to the lack of adherence to the rule of law.
The rule of law is a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly announced, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with constitutional norms and standards.
Judge Sidibey however committed the court and cautioned ordinary citizens and stakeholders to ensure adherence to the principles of the supremacy of the law, equality and accountability to the law.
Highlighting fairness in the application of the law, legal certainty, avoidance of arbitrariness, procedural and legal transparency.
He added further that the government as well as private actors are accountable under the law, adding the law is clear, publicized, and stable and is applied evenly to ensure human rights as well as peace prevail.
At the same time, Nimba County Superintendent, Kou MeapehGono echo a cordial relationship between the court and citizens of the county to foster peace and unity.
In remarks, Supt. Gono emphasized the need for every individual including judicial officers to uphold the values of the rule of law regardless of their status.
She said the continued violation of the law by court officials and the ordinary citizens is harmful to the peace and stability of the county.
Supt. Gono also admonished magistrates of the county to desist from any unlawful acts that would undermine the credibility of the court.
Commenting on raising cases in Nimba County, like land dispute, the superintendent is advocating for the establishment of a specialized court in the county to handle the growing number of land cases in the county.
Explaining that the conflicts over land ownership are undermining peace in the county and it requires a Specialized Court to fully adjudicate in land matters.
Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono made a compelling case for enhanced legal reforms and judicial support during the opening of the August Term of Court at the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie.
Gono praised the judiciary’s role in maintaining justice and outlined her commitment to collaborating with legal institutions to address key issues facing the county.
Her remarks set a tone of collaboration and reform for the August Term of Court, reflecting a strong resolve to address the county’s legal challenges.
She highlighted the urgent issue of overcrowding in county prison, citing inmates’ complaints about their conditions, thus calling for immediate improvements to protect the rights and dignity of those incarcerated.
MAGISTRATES TROUBLE BY POLICE ARREST AND DETENTION
At the same time, Nimba County Coordinator of the National Trial Judges Association of Liberia-NTJAL, Angela YeanueKehleay has expressed concern over police arrest and detention of magistrates for alleged commission of crimes.
Magistrate Kehleay condemned the forms and manners magistrates are being treated by officers of the Liberia National Police without giving them full protection of their status even if in violation of the law.
She said as frontliner of the judiciary, magistrates fear living and vulnerable in the community as the result of the unprofessional and maltreatment melted against them by the judiciary and the justice ministry, calling for swift measures necessary to protect them.
Referencing recent arrest and detention of two magistrates for alleged commission crimes, Magistrate Kehleay stressed that they are troubled by the Judiciary Law for not giving them trial through the Judiciary Inquiry Commission like other agencies and ministries do, but support the arrest and detention of magistrates based on allegations.
The Judicial Inquiry Commission is an auxiliary established within the Judiciary Branch of Liberia Government with the exclusive power and authority to receive and investigate complaint against judges of courts of record and non-record in the Republic of Liberia for violation of any provision of the Judicial Canons.
“The Judicial Canons are intended to establish standards for ethical conduct of judges. They are rules for all judges to uphold and promote the independence, integrity and impartiality of the Judiciary, and also avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety and moreover, judges must perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently”.
