Judiciary Dedicates Bomi Court Complex (02/03/18)

The Judicial Branch of the Liberian Government has dedicated another Judicial Complex to house the Eleventh (11^th) Judicial Circuit Court located in Tubmanburg, Bomi County. The project, which began in February 2015, when grounds were broken for the construction of the modern court facility sitting on a hill on the outskirts of Tubmanburg City, was funded by the Government of Liberia.

Constructed by a local construction company, the Liberia Reconstruction and Development, Incorporated, the modern court complex also houses the Debt Court, Traffic Court, Labor Court, Revenue Court and Magisterial Court-a true manifestation of its name.

Each court has a chamber with corresponding offices for other court actors, like sheriffs, bailiffs, and clerks. Offices are also available for the County Attorney, Public Defender, City Solicitors as well as grand and petit juries.

Speaking at the dedication ceremony, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, His Honor Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. said the construction of the judicial complex represented a clear showing of the government’s intention of promoting judicial independence in Liberia.

Chief Justice Korkpor noted that it was time for the Liberian Judiciary, a distinct and independent branch of the Liberian Government, to move its circuit and other subordinate courts in the counties into structures built by government.

Doing so will not only promote and enhance access to justice in Liberia, he said, it will also ease the huge financial burden government usually has to bear for renting private structures for use by courts and other government ministries and agencies.

“With the construction of this complex, the government will now be relieved from the burden of continual payment of rentals for private properties that housed the many subordinate courts in the City of Tubmanburg.”

According to the Chief Justice, Liberia has constructed six (6) judicial complexes so far, with the biggest (the Temple of Justice built in 1965) in Montserrado County where the nation’s capital, Monrovia is situated.

The others are located in Gbarnga, Bong County, Bopolu, Gbarpolu County, Greenville, Sinoe County, and Sanniquellie, Nimba County and Tubmanburg, Bomi County.  The seventh judicial complex is under construction in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County and is expected to be dedicated this year.

Beside the judicial complexes, Chief Justice Korkpor disclosed that the constructions of Magistrate Courts are also ongoing across the country. “Last year we dedicated a new magistrate court in Karnplay, Nimba County. It is one of the four magistrate courts constructed with funds provided by the Swedish Government through the Justice and Security Trust Fund. The other three magistrate courts are in Botota, Bong County, Vahun, Lofa County and the Omega Tower Area, Paynesville City, Montserrado County.”

The Chief Justice also added that the UN Mission under its Quick Impact Project, last year, constructed two magisterial courts in support of Liberia’s efforts to make justice accessible to its people. One of such courts is in New Kru Town, Bushrod Island and is currently operational while the other which will soon be functional is in Todee, rural Montserrado.

Justice Korkpor praised the development partners of the judiciary for assisting with level of improvement being experienced so far in the Judicial Branch of Government and assured that his bench will ensure that all judicial circuits have judicial complexes and all magisterial districts have magisterial courts.

“In this way, the rule of law will truly be accessible to all citizens and residents across the country. Recent events in our country have shown that the rule of law must be and remain strong, devoid of other influences to keep our country on the path of peace.”

The Chief Justice also appreciated President George Weah and former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf for attending the ceremony and described their physical presence as a signal to the world that they both believe that the rule of law is the surest way of strengthening Liberia’s democracy.

In remarks, former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf thanked the Judiciary for the opportunity of participation. She praised the Judiciary for the commitment shown in continuing their dedicated work to expand upon and improve upon the facilities of the Liberian Judiciary.

Also speaking at the ceremony, President George Weah thanked former President Johnson-Sirleaf for funding the project through her administration and promised that his government will support the Judiciary to continue the construction of judicial complexes until every county has one as a way of promoting access to justice.

President Weah said access to Justice is a pro-poor priority and therefore urged judges to at all times   protect the poor because the court is the only true channel for redress in the democratic form of government.

He said his government will depend on the courts for its fight against corruption and urged every Liberian to put the rule of law above their personal interest to promote development and growth.

The program was attending by several other dignitaries who also made remarks, including UNMIL DSRSG for Rule of Law, IDLO representatives amongst others.