The Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia, Yarmie Quiqui Gbeisay has put it bluntly without sugar-quoting his words about judiciary corruption all over the 15 counties. Unfortunately, corruption is found in a Branch of government that is responsible to interpret the laws of the land and even grant or deny citizens their properties, life and freedom.  This is how crucial, powerful and influential   this Branch of government (Judiciary) is in our political, social, and economic certain.

This is a serious confirmation, because it comes from the head of this branch of government which should demonstrate impartiality in the adjudication of disputes among citizens. it is unfortunate that the United States of America, States Department had repeatedly reported the high wave of corruption in the Liberia Judiciary system, but each time this report comes up, Liberians have their own way of bullying, defending and denying that. These defenses are normally done by those who find themselves in the corridor of power in national leadership positions.

Now that the dial has been casted by the Chief Justice. The unanswered question is, what have we to say about corruption in the Judiciary as alarmed by the Chief Justice? Regrettably. Everyone is mute and no one cares to dare challenge what Justice Gbeisay had disclosed.

Rule of law is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy in the land that must be observed, respected and executed by the government. It is the application of the doctrine of rule of law that in many cases attracts foreign direct investment in country to create job for others who do not have the opportunity to directly work in government.

If the Chief Justice is telling the world that the Liberia’s Judiciary system is corrupt, it is an authoritative confirmation, and this confirmation has the propensity to stop investment partners and deprive lot of Liberians job opportunities.

We are therefore calling on the Chief Justice to work with the other branches of government to institute what is believed to be Judiciary Reform. It is during the reform process; strategies will be developed that will address issues like jurors tempering or manipulation in the judiciary system. The issue of abolishing jurors’ trial is borders around the constitution, and not a one-party deal to be stroke. Parties must get involved, such as the Civil Society Organizations, and the other two branches of government (the Legislature and the Executive) must be active players of the judicial reform process.

We must appreciate some senators who have mustered the courage to condemn or challenge the proposal of the Chief justice, Yarmie Gbeisay, when he emphases the need to abolish jury trial in order to avoid jurors tempering.

We take cognizance of the alarm raised by the Chief Justice to allege that jurors tempering or manipulation is happening in the judiciary system of several counties. We considered this information, provided by the Chief justices an authoritative confirmation that the judiciary is corrupt.

If even there is jury tempering in the judiciary, right under the ambient of the Chief Justice, why didn’t he put measures into place that will curve the manipulation of jurors. What is the instruction given to judiciary workers in the country as a caveat to halt judiciary manipulation or corruption.

Thank God this confirmation is not coming from any ordinary person, instead, the over all big man of the court system, who said manipulation is everywhere in the country.

To delve into what the Chief Justice earlier proposed, (the abolition of juror’s trial), one could safely say such proposal is unconstitutional as it has the propensity to abrogates the fundamental rights of the citizen as enshrined in the organic law of the land.

The argument is centers or borders on Article 20 (A) of the 1986 constitution of Liberia, which among other things addresses the issue of due process, and right to trial by jury in covered criminal cases.