MONROVIA, October 1 (LINA) - Supreme Court Chief Justice Francis Korkpor has urged magistrates throughout the country to use discretionary powers in the arrest, summon and detention of defendants amid the Ebola crisis in the country.
Speaking during the Court’s regular administrative meeting at the Temple of Justice Tuesday, he noted that the application of discretionary powers must be done on a case by case basis, given the facts and circumstances prevailing.
Chief Justice Korkpor said while he is not ordering them to perform their duties out of the scope of the law, he is encouraging them to play a meaningful role in exercising discretionary powers taking into consideration section 10.12 and 13.5 of the Criminal Procedure Law.
He said even though the judiciary will not go about disseminating information to the public regarding precautionary measures against the Ebola virus, it should also contribute immensely to the fight against the disease.
He urged them to be punctual on duty, stressing that any magistrate that does not take time into consideration and is absent from the job will be considered non- essential staff and administrative measures taken to curb such practice.
Speaking on behalf of the Justice Ministry, Montserrado County Attorney Cllr. Daku Mulbah assured that justice actors will play a pivotal role in the fight against the Ebola virus.
For their part, the magistrates assured Justice Korkpor that they will exercise maximum judicial powers as enshrined in the statutes and that they will also use discretionary powers especially when it comes to arrest, summon, and detention of defendants.
LINA CMJ/JGT/TSS