BY: SHALLON S. GONLOR / shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
NIMBA COUNTY — Legal ethics are the foundation of a trustworthy legal system, yet navigating these principles can be challenging for even the most seasoned lawyers.
Lawyers frequently encounter ethical dilemmas that test their professional and ethical conduct, and require careful consideration to uphold justice and fairness.
Understanding these common ethical challenges and knowing how to address them is crucial for maintaining the public’s trust and ensuring the proper administration of justice.
However, a former Associate Justice the Supreme Courtof Liberia, Pei Edwin Gausai has expressed deep concern over rampant corruption within the judiciary, directing blames at lawyers’ alleged misconduct in violation of oath taken to uphold the rule of law.
Speaking during the formal opening of the May Term of Court, A.D. 2025 on Monday at the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Cllr. Gausi said lawyers oath subject them to exercise the legal profession with dignity, conscience, independence, integrity and humanity, something he said lawyers are not doing.
The oath taken by lawyer before practicing the legal profession constitutes the basis of its ethics.
He said as the oath makes clear, the Constitution is the very bedrock of the rule of law and worth protecting.
The Liberian former Associate Justice did not mince words, calling out the “unethical few” whose actions tarnish the reputation of the entire legal community.
According to him, corruption is a cancer that is eating away country’s justice system, highlighting the need to punish lawyers guilty of corrupt practices.
Cllr. Gausi assertion shines a spotlight on the growing epidemic of misconduct among legal practitioners.
He noted that as the result of lawyers violation of their oath, the judiciary is failing the people and it’s time for citizens to demand accountability.
Judges call to stay neutral
Counsellor Tarlo N. Wehyee, a veteran lawyer and Public Defender of Nimba County is calling on judges of the judiciary of Liberia to maintain their neutrality and avoid involving personal preference in cases before them.
Responding to judge’s charge delivered Monday during the official opening ceremony of the May Term of Court, A.D. 2025 at the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Cllr. Wehyee reminded judges to always exercise the principles of the rule of law and judges’ oath.
He further emphasized the importance of judicial independence, underscoring respect for the justice system of Liberia.
The esteemed legal luminary described judicial independence as vital, which ensures that a judge should be able to make the right decision free from external pressure irrespective of the personal interest, economic and political implications among others.
Judicial independence, according to Cllr. Wehyee is not a privilege of judges for their own sake, rather protect everyone who comes to court.
Cllr. Wehyee on behalf of the Public Defense Office of Nimba County pleaded with judges of the judiciary to make decisions based only on law, without the influence of fear or other external factors.
Nimba County Attorney vowed community safety
Meanwhile, Nimba County Attorney, Cllr. John Miah has reaffirmed the Ministry of Justice commitment aimed at keeping the community safe and make the justice system better in the county.
Responding to judge’s charge delivered Monday during the formal opening ceremony of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Cllr. Miah committed to pursuing justice with integrity in every case and uphold the law to the highest standards of ethics and excellence.
He noted further that many challenges facing his office, including complainants refusal to come to court, difficulty in getting witnesses to appear in court to testify and others are constraining him to speedy reduce the court backlog of cases.
He stressed that at the County Attorney’s Office, he along with his professional joint security forces are working tirelessly, day and night fighting crimes to keep the community safe, serving the people of Nimba County with integrity and professionalism.
Cllr. Miah echoed his pledge to doing the right thing at all times in every case, promise doing so with an abiding commitment to justice, integrity, fairness, empathy, transparency, courage, and the rule of law.
The 8th Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie, Nimba County on Monday joins other Circuit Courts in Nimba for the formal opening of May Term of Court, A.D. 2025.
The court formally opened for the transaction of business on the second Monday, same being the 12th day of May, A.D. 2025.
The official opening program was attended by government officials, other judges of courts of record and courts not of record, members of the Nimba County Bar Association (NBA), and the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA).
Others included judicial actors, Nimba County Administration, security personnel, jury venire, chiefs, elders, prominent citizens, and students among others.
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