Voinjama, Lofa – A judge in Voinjama, Lofa County has alarmed over what she calls the constant interference into criminal matters by traditional leaders in the area, warning the local leaders to stay clear of all legal proceedings.
Resident Circuit Judge at the 10th Judicial Circuit Court in Lofa, Judge Nancy Finda Sammy-Kparkillen terms as unacceptable, the interference of traditional leaders into legal affairs in that part of the country.
Judge Sammy-Kparkillen, who issued the stern warning against the traditional leaders when she delivered her charge at the opening of the August A.D. 2018 Term of Court in Voinjama, disclosed that the traditional leaders across the county continue to get involved into cases that are far from tradition.
She intoned that the constant interference of these traditional leaders into legal matters in the area usually results to criminal matters being tampered with by these leaders.
The act on the part of these leaders to constantly interfere into legal matters in Lofa has the propensity to undermine the free and fair dispensation of justice, she said, adding that same is also completely unacceptable.
“Though some of these leaders act ignorantly, we all know that ignorance of the law is of no excuse and as such we all have our part to play,” she said.
The 10th Judicial Circuit Court Resident Judge wants traditional leaders to handle civil and traditional matters and not criminal matters that fall under the jurisdiction of the court.
“For this August Term of Court, we have 11 cases on the trial docket, seven of which are criminal cases, two civil cases, one appeal case and one summary proceeding,” she disclosed.
Judge Sammy-Kparkillen also disclosed that there are a total of 31 cases on the court’s docket for this August Term of Court.
She then cautioned magistrates at the various magisterial courts in Lofa County to dispense justice void of politics or personal interest, adding that by doing so will avert the court being brought to public ridicule.
Meanwhile, Lofa County Superintendent William Tamba Kamba, has buttressed Judge Sammy-Kparkillen’s assertions, expressing disappointment over the interference of some unnamed traditional leaders into criminal cases in the county.
The Lofa Superintendent says his administration will fully support the court in helping to educate the public on the danger of interfering in criminal matters and the legal procedures in seeking redress.
“Let me also cautioned officials and members of the Lofa County Bar Association to get involved in the process of educating the public on these legal processes,” he said.
He then appealed to the central government for the construction of additional prisons in Kolahun and Zorzor respectively, indicating that when constructed, these facilities will help in reducing congestion at the Voinjama Central Prison.
