Judge Mardea Tarr – Chenoweth, Resident Circuit Judge, 13th Judicial Circuit Court, Margibi County
The Resident Judge of the 13th Judicial Circuit in Margibi County calls on citizens to respect the rule of law.
Judge Mardea Tarr – Chenoweth stresses there can be no peaceful society without adhering to the rule of law.According to the Liberia News Agency (LINA), Judge Chenoweth made the call on Monday, 12 November in Kakata when she delivered her charge at the 13th Judicial Circuit Court during the opening of the November Term of Court.
She notes that it was very disheartening to see citizens manhandling court officers, who had gone to effect court’s orders in Johnsonville sometimes ago.The Judge laments that it is totally unacceptable by not having respect for the court, something she says puts the country in a difficult position to win the trust of investors coming to do business in Liberia.
Speaking on the theme: “Respect for the Rule of Law, an obligation for every citizen”, Judge Chenoweth says when the rule of law that is meant to govern everyone is not respected, it’s bound to have serious hitches that could lead to lawlessness.
“Where are we headed to when the court cannot enforce judgment passed by it after adjudicating cases, and interest of aggrieved citizens that are seeking justice is being thwarted by others that have no respect for the court’s decision”, Judge Chenoweth further laments.
She emphasizes the Judiciary is the conduit that stabilizes the country for everyone, so it is imperative that all respect rule of law at all time, not some time.“It is very much unfair and unacceptable for citizens to brutalize police and court officers who are simply effecting orders from the court on judgment handed down in a case only to circumvent justice.”
In response to the Judge’s Charge, Margibi County Attorney Counselor Deddeh J. Wilson, who is Dean of the Local Bar and principal representative of the Ministry Justice in the county, promises to work along with the court in ensuring the rule of law is respected and upheld.
Cllr. Wilson also vows to work along with the court to ensure that justice is dispensed without fear or favor during the November A.D 2018 term of court in Margibi County.She says if citizens one another’s rights, the prison would not be overcrowded, as communities will be very peaceful and everyone will live in total harmony.
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“The way forward is to justice and not reverting to mob justice or other acts that are not in conformity with the rule of law”, Counselor Wilson notes.About 59 cases, including 47 criminal cases and 12 civil cases are on the trial docket for the November term of court.
–Editing by Jonathan Browne
