(LINA) – The Presiding Judge of Criminal Court “A” at the Temple of Justice in Monrovia, Judge Peter W. Gbeneweleh, has appealed for adequate retirement benefits for judges in the country.
He regretted that judges are currently retired in poverty after rendering sacrificial services to their country and its people without adequate retirement packages.
“Judges need to live a decent and dignified life consistent with Judicial Canon Six (6). It is regrettable to note that most of the judges never had adequate retirement packages,” he pointed out.
Judge Gbeneweleh made the call Monday in his charge at the program marking the opening of Criminal Courts “A” “B” “C” and “D” at the Temple of Justice.
Judge Gbeneweleh regretted that there is no legislative enactment spelling out the retirement package of judges, adding that currently the National Association of Trial Judges is helping and catering to a retired judge because his retirement benefit in Liberian dollars is not adequate to underwrite his financial expenses and medical bills.
He also indicated that currently judges’ insurance policy is very limited, thus constraining them to incur additional financial expenses because said policy includes their family members
He noted that the Judges’ Canon Six (6) provides that judges must be provided with the necessities of life, and regretted that judges currently do not have judicial residential quarters when there are compounds for commissioners and superintendents within the executive branch of government.
LINA CMJ/TSS/PTK