By Elbie Sebleh
MONROVIA: The Minister of Justice, Cllr. Natu Oswald Tweh, who is also Attorney General of Liberia has alarmed over “distrust, lawlessness and lack of confidence” in the legal system of Liberia. While charging lawyers and other judicial actors to reflect on how they have contributed to this situation in order to prevent more Liberians from taking the laws into their hands.
Delivering a brief complementary address at the Liberia National Bar Association 2024 National Convention in Gompa City, Nimba County, over the weekend, he reminded lawyers, judges and other judicial actors that they have a responsibility to deliver justice without any fear or favor.
The Justice Minister indicated that posterity therefore demands the exemplary conducts from all those who are part of the Nation’s Justice System.
According to Minister Tweh, whether they are Justices, judges or lawyers in their various capacities, they must remember that “life, liberty, the pursue of happiness, protection of property through legal processes and the dispensation of justice require professional standards” from each of them.
‘’ We have seen in the society the distrust that is being communicated to us as legal practitioners, a trend which has shown that more Liberians are taking the laws into their own hands.”
Minister Tweh also attributed the ugly situation to “lack of confidence, and distrust of Liberia’s legal system.”
“As we convene, let ask ourselves, how each and every one of us in our individual capacity as a judges, magistrates, prosecutors, city solicitors has contributed to this distrust. More importantly, how each of us can do it better going forward’’ Cllr. Tweh urged.
Justice Minister Tweh believes that respect for, and adherence to the rule of law start with legal actors.
In other to consolidate efforts in strengthening quality judicial service, increase access to justice for all, judges, lawyers and other stakeholders must individually evaluate their actions, weather or not they are fulfilling their duties to the courts, country, clients, fellow lawyers and upholding the dignity and integrity of the legal profession.
The Justice Minister lamented that they should purge themselves of acts that may have contributed to the distrust and lack of confidence in Liberia’s legal system.
“To hold the public accountable for legal action, it should start with themselves by applying the law to the highest ethical standard, to build trust in the legal system, and do away with lawlessness in the society,” he stressed.
He asserted that they should firstly create the environment of trust where all Liberians can feel safe to seek readdress through the courts, urging lawyers to further the rule of law in their respective capacities.
“It is our duty as lawyers, we have to be positive force in society. Our role is to advance system of justice. To enlarge the people access to justice, and to improve the administration of justice.
“We have to make a different in society by working towards preserving the rule of law.
“However, to effectively advocate for the rule of law, the citizens must not fear us, rather they must respect us and believe in us.
“Hence, we must set good examples by proper behaviors. It is our hope that what we do here will aid in the furtherance of the rule of law,’’ Justice Mini Tweh concluded.
