By SHALLON S. GONLOR |
shallonsgonlor@gmail.com
GANTA CITY, Nimba County — Senior officials of Liberia’s Ministry of Justice have issued a strong call for prosecutors across the country to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct, warning that justice can only be sustained when prosecutors faithfully serve the law rather than pursue convictions at any cost.
The message was delivered at the three-day ‘Quarterly Training Workshop for Prosecutors and Court Workers’ — which brought together Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Sr., Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, County Attorneys, City Solicitors, and prosecutors from courts across Liberia in Ganta, Nimba County.
The workshop focuses on strengthening prosecutorial capacity, promoting ethical standards, improving legal practice, and reinforcing the rule of law within Liberia’s justice system.
Leadership Is Defined by Service, Not Titles
Opening the workshop on Monday, August 3, 2026, Liberia’s Solicitor General, Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah, urged prosecutors and court personnel to remain steadfast in their commitment to justice — reminding them that public confidence in the justice system depends largely on their integrity and professional conduct.
According to Cllr. Fayiah, leadership is measured not by the offices people occupy but by the positive impact they make through honest service.
He challenged prosecutors to carefully evaluate every piece of evidence before proceeding with criminal prosecutions — emphasizing that the innocent must never become victims of wrongful prosecution while those who violate the law must be held accountable through lawful and fair processes.
“The responsibility of a prosecutor is enormous,” he stressed, adding that every prosecutorial decision must be guided by fairness, truth, and the Constitution rather than personal interest or external influence.
The Solicitor General also warned prosecutors against corruption, bribery, and the acceptance of kickbacks, describing such practices as serious threats to the credibility of Liberia’s judicial system.
He said the public’s trust in the Ministry of Justice and the courts can only be maintained when prosecutors consistently demonstrate honesty, impartiality, and accountability.
Beyond courtroom advocacy, Cllr. Fayiah encouraged participants to become mentors to younger legal professionals, advocate compassionately for victims of crime, and embrace continuous professional development.
He noted that integrity, dedication, discipline, and commitment remain the defining qualities of effective prosecutors and transformational leaders.
Cllr. Fayiah also commended Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh for his continued support to the Department of Prosecution, saying the ministry’s investment in training and institutional capacity has strengthened prosecutors throughout the country.
He encouraged participants to actively engage in discussions, exchange experiences from their respective jurisdictions, and present comprehensive reports from the previous court term.
According to him, collaboration and continuous learning are essential to improving prosecutorial performance and enhancing the administration of justice across Liberia.
A Prosecutor’s Duty Is to Justice, Not Simply Victory
Addressing participants on the second day of the workshop, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, Justice Minister and Attorney General Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Sr. delivered a lecture on the theme “Avoiding Prosecutorial Misconduct” — reminding prosecutors that their responsibilities extend far beyond securing convictions.
He explained that prosecutors occupy one of the most unique and demanding positions within the criminal justice system because they represent both the Republic of Liberia and the interests of justice itself.
“You all know that a defense lawyer has one duty: to defend his client zealously within the bounds of the law. A judge has one duty: to weigh the matter fairly and rule according to the law and the evidence. But a prosecutor has a dual duty that is very hard to carry,” the Attorney General told participants.
He continued: “Your duty is not merely to win, but to see that justice is done. So always be aware of those two duties.”
Justice Minister Tweh stressed that while prosecutors naturally seek successful outcomes in court, success should never be measured solely by convictions.
Instead, he said, the true measure of prosecutorial success is whether justice has been fairly and lawfully achieved.
“You could still lose a case, and justice has been done,” he said. “The distinction is not a small one; rather, it is everything.”
According to the Attorney General, prosecutors who focus exclusively on winning cases risk undermining the very justice they are sworn to protect.
He cautioned that whenever prosecutors suppress evidence, violate defendants’ constitutional rights, or engage in unethical practices, they may obtain convictions—but at the cost of public confidence in Liberia’s justice system.
“…and when that happens, even when a guilty person is convicted, something innocent dies alongside them: the public’s trust in the process that convicted them,” Tweh warned.
The Justice Minister described prosecutorial misconduct as a serious institutional liability rather than a temporary courtroom advantage.
“A conviction obtained the wrong way is not a victory for the State,” he said. “It is a liability that the Ministry of Justice will eventually have to pay for.”
He explained that such misconduct often results in overturned convictions on appeal, damages the reputation of the Ministry of Justice, exposes the Government of Liberia to criticism, and weakens public confidence in the courts.
“It is paid for on appeal, in newspaper headlines that embarrass the Ministry of Justice and the Government of Liberia, and in the loss of confidence that ordinary Liberians place in the courts to protect them,” he said.
He urged prosecutors to remain guided by fairness, transparency, constitutional principles, and respect for due process in every criminal proceeding.
The three-day workshop, which concludes today, Wednesday, was marked by presentations, legal discussions, case reviews, and performance assessments aimed at strengthening prosecutorial competence, reinforcing ethical accountability, and enhancing the effective administration of justice. The training also sought to ensure that prosecutors across Liberia uphold fairness, impartiality, professionalism, and the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.
