Monrovia-Criminal Court “C” Judge Ousman F. Feika has taken a hard swipe at the Ministry of Justice, accusing the government of neglecting the country’s prison infrastructure and failing to address chronic overcrowding and delays in criminal trials.
Delivering the Judges’ Charge at the opening of the Criminal Courts “A,” “B,” “C,” and “D” on Monday, November 10, Judge Feika said the situation at the Monrovia Central Prison has reached a breaking point, with more than 1,600 inmates crammed into a facility built in the 1970s to hold just 375 prisoners.
He described the Monrovia Central Prison as “a human rights concern and a stain on the justice system,” urging the government to immediately resume construction of the long-abandoned New Monrovia Prison project in Cheesemanburg, which was started under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
“We appeal to the Government of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice to seize with immediate effect the construction and completion of the new Monrovia Central Prison,” Judge Feika said, noting the new facility could hold up to 5,000 inmates.
Rehabilitation Neglected
The Judge also blasted authorities for failing to prioritise rehabilitation and probation programs, arguing that the justice system must do more than merely punish offenders.
“Conviction and sentencing should lead to rehabilitation. The state must reform offenders to prevent future crimes,” he warned.
Overcrowding Worsened by Population Boom, Drug Arrests
Judge Feika linked the worsening prison congestion to Monrovia’s exploding population, which has surged from 100,000 in the 1970s to nearly 1.8 million today, and a spike in drug-related arrests since the government’s “war on drugs” began.
He warned that the rising number of pretrial detainees, some jailed for months or years without trial, undermines the principle of presumed innocence and erodes public confidence in the judiciary.
One-Jury Trial Law Stalling Justice
Judge Feika also took aim at a longstanding legal restriction that allows only one jury trial at a time in each criminal court, calling it “counterproductive” and “a major obstacle” to speedy trials.
“This outdated rule stalls progress, extends pretrial detention, and burdens the court docket,” he said, urging lawmakers to revisit the law to allow multiple jury trials simultaneously.
Lawyers Warned
The Judge cautioned defence lawyers and prosecutors against filing excessive pretrial motions intended to delay trials, warning that sanctions would be imposed on those who abuse court procedures.
As the November Term of Court opens, Judge Feika’s remarks echo a familiar frustration among judicial officers over systemic delays, overcrowded prisons, and government inaction, problems that continue to undermine justice delivery in post-war Liberia
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