By Solomon T. Gaye
The judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court, Pape Suah is appealing to the government to appoint additional county attorneys or public defenders to work with the court in Nimba county.
Speaking in Sanniquellie at the opening of the February term of court, the judge disclosed that the shortage of public defenders and county attorney, is among contributing factors hampering the smooth running of the judiciary in Nimba .
According to resident judge Pape Suah , the county comprises of 18 magisterial court, two public defenders, two county attorneys, that are assigned in the county.
“Access to justice is the constitutional right to the rule of law ,” Judge Suah pointed out .
The opening of the February term of court was witness by Associate Justice Yamie Quoiquoi Gbeisaye, lawyers working with the Nimba Bar Association , judges assigned at various lower courts, state security actors, local county authorities, other respectively.
Speaking , Associate Justice Gbeisaye, thanked resident judge Pape Suah, for transforming the court and called on judges to respect the rule of law .
Speaking on behalf government state prosecutors in the county, County Attorney John Miah, disclosed that the over crowdedness of the Sanniquellie central prison is creating serious concern among the residents in the county .
“We want more public defenders, county attorney, to fast track most of the cases to reduce the inmates at the prison, “ County Attorney Cllr. John Miah pointed out .
The February 2025, opening term of court was in two phases , induction of four Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law graduates coupled with their admission into the Nimba Bar Association by the president of the local bar in the county .
Speaking in separate remarks, public defender Cllr. Reginald Mehn, revealed that there are 51 criminal cases on the court’s docket for February 2025, opening term of court.
” We support judge Pape Suah for the appealed of additional public defenders or county attorneys to fast track cases pending before the court ,” public defender Mehn said.
