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Chief Justice Yuoh has complained that the Judiciary has not been given the opportunity to discuss its five-year strategic plan with President Boakai.
By Lincoln G. Peters
Monrovia, August 14, 2024: Liberia’s Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh has complained to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai about the low budgetary allocation and underdevelopment of the court system across the country.
At the dedication of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court Complex in Cestos City, River Cess County, on August 12, 2024, Yuoh lamented that no magistrate court had been renovated or built in over a decade.
She told President Boakai that the government should put its money where its mouth is.
Instead, Chief Justice Yuoh noted that the Legislature and the Executive continue to establish magisterial courts without putting funds in the budget for them.
When established, she accused the Executive and the Legislature of making no budgetary allocations for the stipendiary magistrate and the two associate magistrates, bailiff, and other staff who are supposed to run these magisterial courts.
According to Yuoh, two weeks ago, she heard that another legislator was seeking legislative approval to open a magisterial court in his district without budgetary allotment.
However, Chief Justice Yuoh noted that she recently met the lawmaker at a clinic and told him that the Supreme Court bench would not accept it until money was included.
“Because it’s their business to make appropriation according to the Constitution. So, if you want to establish a court, put your money where your mouth is,” said Chief Justice Yuoh.
Additionally, Chief Justice Yuoh complained that the judiciary has not been given the opportunity to present and discuss its five-year strategic plan with President Boakai, which embodies the formally envisioned Supreme Court.
In response, President Boakai said the Executive Branch of Government fully shares Chief Justice Yuoh’s concern to strengthen the Judiciary.
He promised to support the judiciary in making Liberia a proud nation.
“The Executive Branch of Government fully shared her concern to strengthen the Judiciary. I want to assure citizens of Liberia will receive [the] structure of courts in each county,’’ he said.
Delivering a special remark at the dedication of the court, President Boakai explained that he is not at any time offended by the Judicial Branch of Government.
“The Executive Branch is fully on board with the Judicial Branch in the quest for responsibility, integrity, and adherence to the rule of law in the country,” President Boakai assured the Chief Justice.
He recalled that when he served as Liberia’s Vice President, he always noted that people in Liberia pretend to be perfect.
He suggested that the pretenders would want others to do the right thing while they are not doing the right thing.
But he expressed a belief that one Liberian represents the dignity of all Liberians.
President Boakai said he was grateful for the invitation extended to him for the dedication of the 14th Judicial Circuit Court Complex in Cestos City, River Cess County.
The Judiciary dedicated the 14th Judicial Circuit Court Complex in Cestos City on Monday, bringing together members of the diplomatic community.
Current and past government officials, as well as citizens and stakeholders of the county, attended the program.
