By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-Bong
The Resident Judge of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, Bong County, Boima Kontoe, on Monday, February 10, 2025, ordered the Clerk of Court to issue a Writ of Summon against members of the Bong County Bar Association who shunned the opening of the February 2025 Term of Court.
Judge Kontoe said the Writ of Arrest or Summon which will be issued, will affect those who are always in the constant habit of missing their judicial duties, noting that the court will underwrite the costs by transporting sheriffs of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court to arrest or summon those absentees.
Delivering his official charge at the opening of the February AD Term of Court, Judge Kontoe emphasized the importance of judicial attendance and accountability, warning of potential consequences for those who neglect their duties.
Judge Kontoe, who didn’t disclose the penalties for members who missed Monday’s court opening, described the lawyers’ actions as “lawlessness and sad”, insisting that it runs contrary to the oath they took to always endeavor to provide legal services to their county of origin.
He said the lawyers of the Bong County Bar Association who always miss the opening of court will be held in contempt for deliberately refusing to attend.
The 9th Judicial Circuit Court’s resident judge said the Writ of Summon will compel the absentees to appear in court on February 17, 2025, to answer questions about why they should not be held in contempt.
This is not the first time for Judge Kontoe to issue a Writ of Summon against members of the Bong County Bar Association for refusing to attend the court’s opening.
According to court’s records, 33 members of the Bong County Bar Association, including Counselors-At-Law and Attorneys-At-Law, were absent from the court opening ceremony.
The summoning of these legal professionals underscores their critical role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the judicial system.
Judge Kontoe’s actions reflect a commitment to upholding the integrity and efficiency of the legal process in Bong as he seeks to hold individuals accountable for their professional obligations.
The Vice president of the Bong County Bar Association, Jeremiah Dougboh, lauded Judge Kontoe for the Writ of Summon to be served to those who are always absent from court openings in the county.
The Bong County Bar Association Vice President further revealed that the refusal of his colleagues to attend court openings has the propensity to undermine the Bong Bar Association’s growth and development of the judicial system of the county.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Bar Association has admitted five Attorneys-At-Law into the Bong County Chapter, with a mandate from Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh as part of efforts to improve the justice system in the county.
The five attorneys admitted in the Bong Bar Association during the opening on February 10, 2025, Term of Court include former Montserrado County District 4 Representative Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, Richard M. Dafuwah, Samuel K. Goteh, Leemu Minnie James, and Henry B. Sackie, respectively.
Cllr. J. Boimah Kontoe, resident Judge of the 9th Judiciary Circuit Court, at the same time, urged the lawyers to exercise a high level of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
He said as graduates of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, the Judicial Branch of government expects the attorneys to meaningfully contribute to the justice system of Liberia positively rather than serving at the detriment of the state and its citizens.
However, the former Montserrado County District 4 Representative, now suspended President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL), Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, didn’t attend the admittance ceremony.
Speaking in an interview with journalists after her induction, Atty. Leemue Minnie James expressed delight over her acceptance as a member of the local bar.
The Bong County female Attorney-At-Law said she is going to the Judiciary branch to make a maximum impact on the justice system of Liberia.
She underscored that young people, especially females, should not rely on one career but should also venture into other initiatives that would enable them to make more meaningful contributions to society while sustaining their families.