Senator Moye Craves Judicial Credibility to Curb Mob Violence, Others

Bong County Senator Prince Moye has called for the upholding of integrity and credibility in the Judiciary branch of the Liberian government.

Senator Moye is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways, Means, Finance and Budget.

He noted that judicial credibility is crucial due to growing instances of mob violence, where people take the law into their own hands. 

He made these assertions when he delivered the keynote address at the Seventh Annual Convention of the National Association of Public Defenders of Liberia (NAPDOL) held at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia over the weekend.

Senator Moye spoke on the topic: "THE ROLE OF PUBLIC DEFENDERS IN ENSURING LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL".

He called on citizens to see the courts as the best place to settle their issues or dissatisfaction instead of engaging into acts of lawlessness to paint their country ugly to the outside world.

"There needs to be a paradigm shift. We must reach a point where the people start to see the courts as the most preferred options for resolving issues."
 
He said the need to restore confidence in the Liberian justice system cannot be overemphasized, and as such, the role of public defenders is as important as it has ever been. 

"It is your work as public defenders, fighting for justice for the economically underprivileged class, that ensures there is liberty and justice for all. 

He averred that peace and liberty can only be attained and sustained in Liberia if citizens have equal access to justice.
 
"Undoubtedly, when those down the social, economic and political ladders become to have access to quality legal services as much as those at the upper end of the ladder, then we will all be confident of attaining liberty and justice for all."

Senator Moye added that when public defenders are winning a lot more cases for Liberians who cannot afford the cost of legal services, Liberia and its citizens are inching closer to attaining liberty and justice for all.  

He encouraged Public Defenders to invest as much time, and show as much passion in defending their clients who have nothing to offer return for your legal services in the same manner and form they they(Public Defenders) defend clients who have everything to offer for the same quality of service. 

"When periodic judicial updates begin to show effective and efficient legal services to clients and courts by public defenders, it drives trust and confidence in the process and everyone will eventually be assured of justice."
 
Senator Moye maintained that unless citizens  themselves are convinced that the judicial system is set up and exist to provide justice for everyone regardless of statuses, they will never trust the court process, and hence judicial integrity will continue to be under critical scrutiny.   

He added that as the judiciary seeks to deliver on five strategic thematic objectives of its current strategic plan under the theme “Rebranding the Liberian Judiciary”, NAPDOL as a vital subset of the judiciary has a critical role to play towards this actualization. 

He stated that NAPDOL can contribute significantly to ensuring quality and expanded infrastructure for improved access to justice by offering recommendations on what the quality of such infrastructures should be, and where they are most needed.  

According to him, the group possesses the capacity to help build a more professional and competent judicial personnel system by espousing policies that hold its own members accountable whenever there are ethical breaches and inefficiencies.  

"Furthermore, NAPDOL can contribute to efficient case management for improved access to justice by working with court administrations and other justice actors to ensure proper documentation and adherence to standard operating procedures within courts." 

Additionally, Senator Moye indicated that, the Association can promote improved administration of criminal justice processes by advocating for trained judicial personnel at every level required, to represent the legal interest of clients, and ensure that cases are properly adjudicated within reasonable timeframes.  

"For a long time now, the integrity of the judiciary has been subjected to scrutiny, and there have been genuine questions about constitutional rights litigation. Constitutional rights litigation and judicial integrity can be significantly improved if NAPDOL works with all stakeholders concern to raise the standards of such litigations, and the profile of the judiciary. This, in itself will not only be a victory for justice and the rule of law, but for our country’s cherished democracy as well."
 
He observed that Liberia cannot boast of its  achievements as a country if it cannot uphold liberty and justice for everyone.

"From the highlands to Bomi County to the Capes of Maryland, let there be liberty and justice for all. From the rolling plains of Grand Kru to the steep waterfalls of Bong, let there be liberty and justice for all. From the high Mountains of Nimba to the glittering Seashores of Montserrado there must be liberty and justice for all. From the tropical rain forest in Sanoe to the beautiful beaches of Cape Mount, let there be liberty and justice for all."

He urged that no matter the circumstances, diversities and preferences, government and its citizens must defend, to the depth of "our strengths, everyone’s right to liberty and justice."

Senator Moye noted that "whatever we do, and however we agree to do them, let us uphold the doctrine of liberty and justice for all Liberians."

He, however,  pledged to work with his colleagues at the National Legislature to ensure that Public Defenders adequately benefit from budgetary allocation to the Judiciary branch of the Liberian government.

has described the upholding of the rule of law and access to justice as the fulcrum of Liberia's fledging democracy.

According to him, there can be no sustained peace and development in the absent of freedom and justice in the country.

"As we take a deep dive into “the role of public defenders in the judicial system, its prospects and challenges’’, it is important to know that upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice for all is at the fulcrum of our cherished democracy, and is the foundation upon which our nation thrives. Even in post war Liberia, we must all aspire to guarantee freedom and justice for all as a means of maintaining the peace that we all enjoy today."

  
Senator Moye stressed .that the foundation of Liberia is premised on the values of freedom and justice for all Liberians regardless of their social statuses, economic standings, political preferences, cultural orientations, and religious affiliations. 

He added that adherence to the rule of law, and ensuring liberty and justice for all is very central to Liberia economic and democratic progress.

Senator Moye maintained that it is also pivotal to "our survival and progress as a people and nation."
    
According to him, statistics continue to show that a high percentage of Liberians highly trust customary justice actors to dispense justice than the former justice actors. 

He noted that government can create the platform for leveraging the roles of such customary justice actors through the creation of more transparent and clear cut rules of engagement between them and the former justice system, while also strengthening and empowering the former system to be a better alternative for people. 

"We must galvanize our efforts and work to ensure that reforms are responsive to this reality."

In post conflict Liberia, there has been consistent flagrant disregard for the upholding of the rule of law because of lack of trust-mainly from ordinary citizens-in the justice system.

There have been multiple reports released by international and local partners, including the U. S State Department alarming of alleged corruption in the judicial system of the country.

But Senator Moye emphasized that it is now time to ensure a reputable and credible justice system in Liberia. This, he added, has to be a concerted effort. 

"Professional legal organizations like NAPDOL have their roles to play, individual lawyers have to give their best for their clients, judges must do due diligence in the discharge of their duties. And for us in the legislature, coordination is key to the achievement of these objectives."