Othello Sarweh Nimely
According to Senator Prince Moye, a citizen’s ability to obtain justice should not be determined by his or her financial circumstances. He called for stronger measures to ensure that indigent defendants and other citizens who cannot afford private attorneys receive adequate legal assistance.
The Bong County Senator, Prince Kermue Moye Sr., made the call Monday during the opening of the August Term of Court of the 9th Judicial Circuit Court in Gbarnga, where he pledged the full support of the county’s legislative caucus to strengthening the judiciary.
Moye said lawmakers are prepared to support initiatives aimed at improving court facilities, expanding access to legal representation, and addressing other challenges affecting the delivery of justice across Bong County.
He said the legislative caucus would work with relevant committees of the National Legislature to address legal and policy issues confronting the justice system, particularly concerns raised by Assigned Judge Joe S. Barkon that require legislative intervention.
For Senator Moye, providing legal representation to people who cannot afford lawyers is an important part of ensuring fairness in the justice system.
“We have said to ourselves, if we have issues, we have to help our citizens. The only way we can help them is to give them lawyers to plead for them in whatever situation they are in, but not to influence, not to dictate. That’s not our position,” Moye said.
He stressed that lawmakers’ efforts to support citizens should not be interpreted as an attempt to interfere with the independence of the judiciary.
According to him, legislators can help citizens secure legal representation without influencing judges, interfering with court proceedings, or attempting to determine how cases should be decided.
Beyond legal aid, Moye raised concerns about the availability and condition of judicial facilities in Bong County. He said residents in several communities continue to face challenges accessing justice because of the limited availability of court facilities.
The senator called for the expansion and rehabilitation of judicial infrastructure to bring justice services closer to residents while creating better working conditions for judges, lawyers, and other court personnel.
Moye said the county should look beyond its existing Magisterial Court and consider establishing additional judicial facilities in communities where the population and demand for justice services warrant them.
He also urged the government to channel public revenues, including resources generated through concession arrangements, toward critical public needs such as judicial infrastructure.
The senator said the Bong County legislative caucus would consider providing additional support to the judiciary in situations where national funding is insufficient, provided that the necessary resources are available.
Moye also announced plans to seek legislative action on outstanding justice-sector concerns, including the establishment of a probate court structure in Bong County.
He said he would engage members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate to build support for the initiative.
The senator commended judicial and Justice Ministry officials in Bong County for their efforts to keep the justice system functioning and reaffirmed the legislative caucus’s commitment to strengthening the rule of law.
He, however, emphasized that such support must be provided with full respect for the independence of the judiciary.
He described the adjudication of 10 criminal cases as an indication of progress in justice delivery, while stressing that continued investment, cooperation, and institutional support are necessary to ensure that justice is accessible to every citizen, regardless of financial status.
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