G.BARBGA, Nov. 14 (LINA) – The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) through the Coordinator of Bong County Trial Judges has reiterated a passionate plea to government and philanthropic organizations for logistical support, especially typewriters for Magisterial Courts across the county.
Speaking Monday at the November Term of Court opening, the Coordinator of Bong County Trial Judges, Titus A. Railey. expressed fear that Magisterial Courts in Bong County risk closure if nothing is done urgently to donate, most especially, typewriters to the courts across the county.
Railey further alarmed that lots of buildings used as Magisterial Courts in the county are in deplorable condition, leaking during the raining season on judges and their clients while trials are in progress in various districts in the county.
« We may end up closing the Magisterial Courts in some parts of Bong County, like the one in Zoweinta, because the building in use is leaking and, secondly, there are no typewriters in the Magisterial Courts. So we are calling on anyone to come and help us if you have one, » he said.
At the same time, Judge Railey called on traditional leaders to avoid interference with legal matters in the name of using “country devil” or bush masters.
He maintained that the use of “bush masters” to obstruct justice has a negative effect not only on the judiciary but it also scares away partners.
For his part, giving his charge dated October 24, 2022 by the Supreme Court of Liberia, the assigned Ninth Judicial Circuit Court Judge J. Boima Kontoe, urged members of the local bar association to be committed to the association.
According to Judge Kontoe, the association is finding it extremely difficult to operate because most of its members are backsliding by staying away from meetings and official court openings, respectively.
He lamented that official Term of Court openings on every second working Monday in February, May, August and November is by law and, as such, all lawyers who are members of the local bar must be present as part of their commitment to provide services to society.
The Bong County Resident Judge added that members of the local bar association are also under obligation to make meaningful contributions to the bar as a way of paying back to the county which benefits the inhabitants through their protection.
Meanwhile, a release from the office of the court clerk revealed that 97 cases are currently on the docket. They include 59 criminal, 12 murder, six armed robbery, 16 aggravated assault, three drug and one human trafficking cases respectively.
The Monday, November 14, 2022 Term of the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court opening was attended by several sectors, including security, civil society and local government officials, among others.
Sylvester W. Korwor, Bong County Correspondent
