Liberia’s new Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, has described the lack of adequate support and funding to the Judiciary as erosion to the rule of law system in Liberia.
She however further assured that while it is true the lack of proper state funding for the judiciary is undermining the rule of law, peace, and security, the judiciary under her watch will stake to its primary mission of dispensing justice without fear or favor.
“Let me be candid and submit here that while I hold the view that the lack of adequate support to the Judiciary is erosion to the rule of law, peace and security of the Republic, notwithstanding, these challenges should never deter us from the core duties that we, as judicial officers, have sworn to perform,” Justice Yuoh maintained.
She made the assertion in her maiden address during the opening of October Term of the Supreme Court, 2022, at the Temple of Justice, Monday October 10, 2022 in Monrovia.
The Chief Justice further observed that Justices of the Supreme Court have consented to the principle of tackling the challenges at the nation’s highest court.
“Hence, in this regard, my colleagues on the Bench, with whom I have worked over time, have agreed in principle to foster an unprecedented consensus in tackling these challenges,” she disclosed.
She noted that her bench has agreed to build a strong coordination between the Supreme Court and the other two branches of government.
“We have agreed to maintain a vibrant network between the Bench and the Liberian National Bar Association and we are resolved to implement judicial policies that will make the workings of our courts more efficient, visible, and appreciated by our citizens and residents,” she added.
The Chief Justice observed that paramount to these challenges, the Supreme Court bench has resolve to not only hear numerous cases, but to concurrently render opinions thereon timely and expeditiously.
“As we set this premise, we expect that the trial judges will naturally follow our example,” Chief Justice Youh said.
She said the Yuoh’s Bench is in full agreement that all those concerted efforts mentioned will fan the fires of hope in the people of Liberia.
“We are mindful that this Supreme Court is the last place of hope; and as such we are resolved to reposition our courts to a judicial stature that will not only be highly respected but revered by all despite the changes of our modern society,” Justice Yuoh pointed out.
The Justice noted that the Supreme Court will work with the Liberian National Bar Association and the Fourth Estate to develop judicial policies that will adequately explain, ‘in layman terms,’ the functions of the courts in the justice system in order to remove the clouds of misconceptions, false innuendos, and vicious criticisms that are tainting the image of the Judiciary.
“I am even open to constructive criticisms. Like Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the 1st female Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I strongly believe that “our liberty has no refuge in a jurisprudence of doubt and that the freedom to criticize judges and other public officials is necessary to a vibrant democracy.”
The Chief Justice stressed that the Full Bench of the Supreme is determined to administer justice without fear or favor pursuant to Article 11(b)© of the Constitution which states “all persons, irrespective of ethnic background, race, sex, creed, place of origin, or political opinion, are equal before the law and therefore entitled to the equal protection of the law.”
“It should be noted that this ideal of equal rights is so sacrosanct to the Judiciary that they are embellished on the walls of the Temple of Justice in the following words: “Let Justice Be Done To All,” she reminded.
“This is the creed of all the courts of this Republic, including the Supreme Court. From the administration of Chief Justice Samuel Benedict in 1848 to the administration of Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor Sr., every administration of the Judiciary, including this Yuoh’s Bench has labored and will continue to uphold this creed. In the case, East African Company v. Dunbar 1LLR 279, 280 (1895) the Supreme Court articulated this creed by holding thus:
“The law makes no distinction between men when before it; the high and low here are both on an equal level. The law, while just, has no sympathy; it neither makes men rich nor poor; hence the claim to be rich can have no influence with it; and to plead poverty can awaken no sympathy,” the Chief Justice reiterated.
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