The Civil Society Network of Liberia (CSNL) has highlighted visible infrastructural reforms of the Judiciary under the leadership of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, His Honor Francis S. Korkpor, who is expected to retire soon after reaching the statutory age of service at the Supreme Court.
Cllr. Korkpor was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court by ex-President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf on April 18, 2013—approximately nine years ago—and has since initiative a number of policies, infrastructural development and reforms aimed at addressing the growing need to build an independent, reliable and effective Judiciary.
Speaking to the Hot Pepper recently, the President of CSNL said while monitoring the activities of the Chief Justice, it was observed that, in an effort to ensure access to justice for all, which is a basic tenet in peace building and democratic development, Chief Justice Korkpor engaged in the construction and staffing of new judicial complexes and the completion of several other courts in several political subdivisions of Liberia.
In September 2017, the Judiciary dedicated a newly constructed Judicial Complex housing the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court and other Specialized and Magistrate Courts in the historic city of Sanniquellie, Nimba County, at which time His Honor Francis S. Korkpor expressed delight that the Judiciary achieved such a milestone to afford judges, staff of the Judiciary and other stakeholders in the rule-of-law sector the opportunity to work in an improved environment that would enhance productivity.
“As anticipated, the Sanniquellie Judicial Complex houses the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court, Debt Court, Traffic Court, Tax Court, and the Magistrate Court. It also contains offices for the County Attorney, Public Defender, and the City Solicitor. There is also accommodation for the Petty Jury and Grand Jury, which include separate section for male and female Jurors,” the group noted.
According to the CSNL, in March 2018, the Judiciary dedicated another Judicial Complex to house the Eleventh (11th) Judicial Circuit Court in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. Official groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place in February 2015 for the construction of the facility, funded by the Government of Liberia (GOL) and contracted to a local construction company, the Liberia Reconstruction and Development Incorporated.
“The court complex also houses the Debt Court, Traffic Court, Labor Court, Revenue Court and Magisterial Court; and contained also in each of the courts are a chamber, offices for other court workers, including sheriffs, bailiffs, and clerks. There are also offices for the County Attorney, Public Defender, City Solicitors as well as grand and petit juries,” the group revealed.
“As part of the continuing efforts to enhance the rule of law and ensure access to justice for rural dwellers, and a major sign that international development partners recognize the massive and relentless efforts of Francis Korkpor leadership of the Judiciary, the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), in September 2013, handed over to national authorities a newly constructed Magisterial Court in Bahn, Nimba County,” the civil society group added.
The group noted that, beside the judicial complexes, the Judiciary, under Chief Justice Korkpor, constructed several Magisterial Courts across the country. In 2017, a new magistrate court was dedicated in Karnplay, Nimba County—one of the four magistrate courts constructed with funds provided by the Swedish Government through the Justice and Security Trust Fund. The other three magisterial courts were constructed in Botota, Bong County; Vahun, Lofa County; and the Omega Tower Area, Paynesville, Montserrado County.
The Civil Society Network of Liberia underscored that all these infrastructural projects were undertaken in an effort to build an independent, reliable and effective Judiciary, and that this has been the hallmark of Chief Justice Korkpor’s leadership at the Judiciary.
The group praised the out-going Chief Justice for his innovation, farsightedness and dedication to service for country. The CSNL pleaded with President George M. Weah to appoint a new Chief Justice who will build on the achievements of Korkpor and promote the image of the Judiciary and the government at large.
