The 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh has urged judges and magistrates in Bomi and Grand Cape counties to conduct the affairs of their respective courts with a high degree of honestly, fairness, neutrality and courage.
Judge Gbeneweleh made the statement during the joint program marking the formal opening of the 5th and 11th judicial circuit courts, Bomi and Grand Cape counties, sitting in their November 14, 2022 term of court.
He charged them to conduct their activities in a manner that will enable them to render impartial judgments in their courts, which will promote peace, unity, stability and national development.
Judge Gbeneweleh pointed out that the peace, unity, stability and national development also depend upon them as judges, especially how they uprightly adjudicate and fairly determine cases before their courts. “In short, the court must play a pivotal role in sustaining peace, unity and stability, and in promoting national development of our country,” he said.
Judge Gbeneweleh reminded magistrates and judges that they are the mirror through which the public perceives the Judiciary; they are also the first court of contact for citizens, who give the first impression of the Judiciary branch of government.
He further said, “I urge you to discharge your judicial duties within your respective courts with high degree of professionalism, honestly, fairness, neutrality and courage.”
He added that Judicial Canon #5 refers to the court as “the last place of hope for man on earth and, therefore, the judges therein presiding must live above reproach”.
He continued that Judicial Canon #8 relates to public interest and provides that “courts exist to promote justice, thus to serve the public interest”. He indicated that theirs is the administration of justice, which they must do with speed and care. “Every judge should at all times be alert in his ruling and in the conduct of the business of the court, so far a he can.”
He added that courts exist to guarantee liberty, enhance social order, maintain rule of law, provide for equal protection and ensure due process of law. “Thus, our court is cardinal to sustainable peace and national development in Liberia.”
He told the clerical and ministerial staff to be honest and fair in the discharge of their duties in order to make this term of court a success.
For his part, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Joseph Nagbe, who has oversight justice over Bomi, Cape Mount and Gbarpolu counties, emphasized that the Judiciary should set a standard as a nation builder. “We should build a great society within the Judiciary of ours,” he maintained.