The Liberian National Bar Association in a news conference says, it’s troubled by the perpetual vacancy at the Supreme Court Bench since the resignation and subsequent death of the late Associate Justice Joseph N. Nagbe.
According to the LNBA president, Sylvester Rennie, that vacancy created since the death of the Associate Justice is seriously hindering the workings of the Supreme Court.
He said, in the event of a constitutional crisis, how will the Supreme Court Bench go ahead with hearing of such matters?
Cllr. Rennie disclosed that the failure of President Joseph Boakai to appoint an Associate Justice is currently causing delay with the hearing of some major cases.
The Bar therefore called on the Executive and Legislative Branches of Government to see reason in providing additional budgetary allocations to the Judiciary for FY-2024, thereby strengthening the coordination of the three Branches of Government as provided for under Article 3 of the 1986 Constitution.
The president of the LNBA added that besides the low budgetary appropriation to the Judiciary, has observed and is informed about the lack of incentives for state prosecutors which has undermined the work of the prosecution and dampened the spirit and morale of the prosecutors.
For instance, the lack of fees for the prosecution of cases, the provision of vehicles for state prosecutors, adequate salaries and benefits for state prosecutors, have all affected that aspect of the justice sector.
The Bar is calling on the government and the Rescue Mission to give immediate attention to state prosecutors by providing adequate incentives that will boost the morale of the prosecutors so as to ensure that justice is served out people.
