Monrovia – In commemoration of Law Day celebrated by lawyers in Liberia, the president of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) says the impeachment of former Associate Justice Kabinah Ja’neh was emotional and was not done in keeping with the Constitution.
Cllr. Tiawon Gongloe said since the impeachment was done, the Legislature has failed to prescribe laws to govern the procedure as required by Article 43 of the Constitution.
“The LNBA also maintains that the bill of impeachment was done in violation of a court order not to proceed; hence, it was illegal,” he said.
He said the Senate violated Article 73 of the Constitution which clearly shows that there was no legal ground for his removal.
According to him, the country cannot boast of the adherence to the rule of law when Legislators violate the constitution with impunity.
“The Legislature should take the high moral ground to undo and take their time to prescribe the law to guide the procedure for impeachment.
“The entire impeachment process was control by emotions rather than law.”
Law Day was celebrated Friday in Monrovia under the theme “Adherence to the rule of Law.”
Former Chief Justice Gloria Musu Scott, who served as Keynote speaker, called for the revision of the 2014 code of conduct.
She spoke on the topic, “Implementation of the 2014 code of conduct Act” Implications and challenges.”
Also, five senior lawyers were honored, Cllrs. Winston Tubman, David, Gbala, J. Emmanuel Berry, Richard Flomo and J. Laveli Supuwood.
There were murmurs of the absence of Chief Justice Francis Korkpor.
When Associate Justice Sie-Nyene Yuoh took the podium, she said she has no idea why he was not present.
She urged lawyers to be professional in handling client cases and avoid delaying in filing their legal precepts before courts.
The legal Professional Development and Anti-Corruption (USAID/LPAC), Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) promised to work with lawyers for a successful dispensation of justice.
The Ministry of Justice represented by Montserrado County Attorney Edwin Martin said the rule of law should be respected by the everyone and the Government will continue to uphold it.
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor also urged lawyers to use the profession to guide the Liberian people and the Government.