TUBMANBURG, BOMI COUNTY – In his opening charge on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the formal opening of the May Term of Court, the Relieving Judge assigned at the 11th Judicial Circuit Court in Bomi County, Judge Nelson B. Chineh called on judicial actors in Liberia to recommit to ethical practices so as to restore public trust in Liberia’s Judicial System.
Judge Chineh spoke on the theme: “The Role of Judicial Actors in Restoring Public Confidence in the Liberian Judiciary.” He intoned that the perception of the Judiciary among the populace is deeply troubling, describing it as one associated with “fraud and corruption.” He lamented that this widespread belief has contributed significantly to the public’s declining self-assurance in the justice system.
“It is an open secret,” Judge Chineh said, “that all of our court dockets are overly loaded and our prisons overcrowded with pretrial detainees. These challenges paint a picture of a justice system struggling to meet the needs of the people it is meant to serve.”
Relieving Judge Chineh emphasized that those who have chosen to be part of the justice system must now take the lead to initiate reforms. According to him, real change begins with a renewed commitment from all actors within the Judiciary, including judges, lawyers, clerical staff, ministerial officers, and members of the jury.
“If public confidence in the judiciary must be restored,” he asserted, “we as judicial actors must redefine and recommit ourselves to our respective roles. Each of us has a stake in ensuring justice is served fairly and without bias.”
Judge Chineh reminded his audience that the behavior of judicial personnel plays a direct role in shaping the image of the court, adding, the form and manner in which justice actors perform their tasks either builds or breaks the trust citizens place in the Judiciary.
In a call for accountability and transparency, Judge Chineh urged judges and magistrates to always display neutrality and impartiality. “As judges,” he said, “we must at all times exhibit a sense of neutrality and must put in place control mechanisms to ensure that all activities carried out in court are in conformity with the law.”
The judge warned against external interference, emphasizing that courts should not be subjected to undue influence. He stressed the importance of judicial independence as enshrined in the 1986 Constitution of Liberia.
“Judges and magistrates must perform their duties free of influence or control by other actors, whether governmental or societal,” he iterated. “Courts should not be subject to improper influence from the other branches of government, even though the 1986 Constitution provides that they are separate and coordinating branches of government.”
Judge Chineh also encouraged the judicial workforce to embrace professionalism, integrity, and fairness in order to help improve the delivery of justice. He underscored that the future of Liberia’s democracy largely rests on the credibility of the justice system.
He concluded his charge by urging all stakeholders in the justice sector to uphold their oath of office and serve the people with dignity and accountability. “Our people deserve better,” Judge Chineh emphasized. “They deserve a court system they can trust, one that ensures their rights are protected, and justice is not delayed or denied.”
Courtesy of Gabriel M C Parker, Tubmanburg, Bomi County’
