No Judge at 9th Judicial Circuit Court

Concerns are continuously mounting over the absence of a presiding judge at the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Bong County. The court, which opened on May 9, 2016, is yet to adjudicate any case, while many pre-trial detainees languish behind bars.

Court authorities in Bong County told our correspondent Civil Law Court Judge Peter Gbenewelleh was assigned at the court for this May term, but has not started job since May 9, 2016 due to his current assignment.

According to them, the Civil Law Court term has not ended, subsequently running into the term of the magisterial court -causing serious embarrassment for the court in the wake of Judge Gbenewelleh’s inability to stay at the Civil Law Court to complete his term.

Jurors recruited for the May Term of court go to work very less busy and leave ahead of official knock out time due to the absence of the Presiding Judge. Some family members, whose relatives are serving pre-trial detention, continue to express concerns over the issue, describing it as justice delayed.

They expressed the belief that Judge Peter Gbenewelleh was not to be assigned at the court since his tenure at the Civil Law Court was still in progress. There are reports in some quarters of the court that judge Gbenewelleh is asking his bosses for excuse to enable him travel to the United States for some personal reasons.

By Papa Morris from Gbarnga, Bong County