The Resident Judge of the 5th Judicial Circuit Court in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, Ousman Feika, told judicial actors and a cross-section of citizens that everyone has an obligation to help weed illicit or harmful drugs and substances from society.
Judge Feika made the disclosure when he delivered his charge for the formal opening of the November 2024 term of court on Monday November 11, 2024.
According to Judge Feika, individuals charged with drug offenses are not deemed guilty before trial as been perceived by the public.
He added that, alleged drug offenders are entitled to a fair and impartial trial like anyone else who is accused of transgressing the law.
“It is therefore my candid advice that accused drug traffickers or offenders take advantage of the court, assign their cases and have an opportunity to exonerate themselves from the charges,” Judge Feika told the gathering.
“You can never exonerate yourself from a charge brought against you by law enforcement officers by refusing to come to court and putting up a strong defense in favor of your innocence,” he stated.
Judge Feika said, “We therefore have an obligation to enhance the rule of law and commit to a fair and impartial trial for all no matter your status in society. We must all work together in ensuring that the perception of a corrupt Judiciary is simply a mere cliché.”
He further cautioned lawyers to file their legal memorandum for the disposition of law issues and do the filing before the date of the hearing and by doing so, “It will enable us to make determination on the law issue on the day of the hearing instead of postponing any ruling for a subsequent date,” he noted.
The Grand Cape Mount County Resident Judge explained that there have been challenges with filing of legal memorandum by lawyers and said, “We intend to ensure that this requirement is scrupulously adhered to going forward.”
He told lawyers that he is not interested in imposing fines on them for failing to file their legal memorandum but the court is interested in the legal memorandum.
Meanwhile, members of the Grand Cape Mount Bar have maintained their president Eugene Massaquoi and other officers on a white ballot.
