Lula Jaurey & Mulinda C. Mulbah
IPNews-Monrovia,Liberia-12 March 2018:The Supreme Court of Liberia has requested the government of Liberia to make available US$500,000 for the purchase of needed vehicles for judges of the Judiciary branch of government.
Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor made the request on behalf of the Supreme Court during the opening of Supreme Court’s “March-Term”, held at the chambers of the Honorable Supreme Count of Liberia on Monday, March 12, 2018.
It may be recalled, His Honor Chief Justice Korkpor said last years, the Government of Liberia would provide funds to strengthen certain strategic functionaries of the government, including the justice and security sectors in preparation of UNMIL’s drawdown and eventual departure from Liberia.
He noted that, contrary to earlier plead by the Honorable Supreme Count for an increment in its budgetary allocation of One Million United States dollars need to build the capacity of the Judiciary, the government has so far, provided only US$500,000.00 of the amount requested.
Chief Justice Korkpor: “ We purchase 12 all-weather Land Cruiser Jeeps with this trench of money for Circuit Judges and we pray the balance be made available to enhance the operations of the Judiciary”.
Addressing members of the Supreme Count Bar, Chief Justice Korkpor, furthermore stated that full bench has approved the turnover of the purchased vehicles to Circuit Judges especially in remote and far-to-reach circuits.
“At the moment, we will exert every effort to have the government provide the remaining funding, and we will further seek additional funding to purchase vehicles for all Circuit Judges, including Relieving Judges of Specialized Courts”. Chief Justice Korkpor said.
In another developing story, Chief Justice stated has paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia to acquaint him with mounting concerns being raised of some commercial banks operating in the country.
The Chief Justice noted that commercial banks have expressed reservation on the stalling of cases at lower courts involving lenders, some of whom have credited huge sums as individuals and institutions that were still pending before the Supreme Court.
“We have instructed the lower courts concerned to expedite those cases which have implications for our economy,” stated the Chief Justice.
He reassured commercial banks that cases on appeal before the Supreme Court from commercial banks that could not be heard during the last Term of Court, because the court provided priority to election cases, those cases would now be assigned during this March-term of Court for hearing and determination.
For his part, Justice Minister Musa Dean highlighted overcrowding of major prison in the country.
Justice Dean used the occasion to propose for approval by the Judiciary, process of signing for inmates by immediate family members to ease the overcrowding of prisons across the Country.
Judicial observers spoken to observe that many correction officers were using executive clemency to extort money and exploit prisoners and their families.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, told this paper that they wonders why Correction Officers were getting involve with extortion from prisoners, whereas they are to ensure the protection of prisoners and the enforcement of law.
Another judicial observer said executive clemency is for prisoners that were convicted for at least ten years but now a day some do not spent nine years, and also those that have been sentenced for life, but with good conduct, can also benefit from executive clemency.
With these analysis, some in the corridors of the Judiciary are wondering what kind of rescreen would be exerted to have the dissolution of such practice.
