By S. Siapha Mulbah (Cub Reporter)
The Supreme Court of Liberia is set to open for its last annual session as prescribed by the Judiciary law of Liberia.
According to Chapter, Section 2.5 of the Judiciary of Liberia, the high court is required to hold two separate terms yearly.
The law states, “The Supreme Court shall hold two terms annually, commencing on the Second Monday of October and March of each year and continuing as long as the business before the Court may require. They shall be known as the October and March Terms respectively.”
Today’s opening of the court at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia is the October term of court which marks the second and final term for the year 2021 and this term is expected to settle business before the high court in accordance with its obligation until March of next year when it will adjourned and the next court terms will commence.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court shall host diplomatic guest, judicial staffers, the Liberian National Bar Association and legal practitioners as well as the media amongst others at its opening ceremony today.
At the ceremony today, the Chief Justice shall deliver a charge on the court plans for this term and as well bring the public to speed on the progress made in it last term as well as highlights the challenges confronting the Judiciary in dispensing justice to every citizen of the state.
In his last address during the March term opening, Chief Justice Francis Korkpor explained activities carried out in the Judiciary for the period under review and noted that the Judiciary is a branch of the government that is highly ethical in its operations.
Also in that commencement which was held via zoom because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Chief Justice revealed that there were public opinions in circulation that said he was going to be the running mate to George Weah in 2023 which could influence his independence in ensuring Justice to the matters before the full bench.
But he vehemently termed that accusations as false and misleading because lawyers lest to speak of Justices should have no interference with politics and no politician should have political affiliation with the court and any party in tampering justice therefore as chief arbiter of Justice, they cannot use the court to assume political power.
He then called on every citizen to put hands around the Judiciary in respecting the rule of law and making sure that the perfect opinions issued by the court takes coast for it is final.
“Let me implore all Liberians to treat the Supreme Court with objectivity, devoid of
partisan politics because the members of this Court do not belong to any political party. We took oath to do justice and we will continue to do so irrespective of who or what is involved,” Korkpor noted.