Sanniquellie, Nimba County – Releasing Judge Cllr.Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr, has called on magistrates assigned in Nimba County to stop the behavior of continued arresting of chiefs.
Report by Franklin Doloquee, Contributor
Speaking during the opening of the Augustus term of Court at the 8th judicial circuit court in Sanniquellie, Judge Gbeisay asked magistrates to “create love, care and respect for the [local] chiefs”.
He said the chiefs are part of the county authority in their respective areas and that they are helping to keep the peace.
According to Judge Gbeisay, there have been continued reports that magistrates are on a daily basis arresting and jailing chiefs. He described the act as disrespect to the chiefs.
“My sitting here for the few months, I call on you people to create love and respect for the chiefs,’’ he said, urging the judges of court of none records to work with the chiefs and support the judicial system.
The releasing Judge pointed out that the chiefs are direct representative of the president in their respective towns and they need respect from people.
‘’You are working in the control area of those chiefs who are mostly respected by the citizens and you need to respect them,” he told the magistrates.
They may be ignorant of the law but they are trying their weak way to make peace and in the process, they have been arrested and accused of been involved in hearing criminal cases, he said.
“While I am here for a short time, I do not want to hear that magistrates arrest any chiefs in the County. When you go to the chiefs’ home he should be your host because they are there to work with you.”
Meanwhile, Judge Gbeisay has fined several magistrates US$100 each for their absence in court, while those who came late were fined US$50.
The 8th Judicial Circuit Court had 62 criminal cases on its docket, and Judge Gbeisay pledged his support and commitment to reducing them.
For his part, the head for the magistrate association in the county, Amos L.Nyaplue consented with the releasing Judge and pledged to work in order to improve the relationship with the local chiefs.