As part of the continuing efforts to enhance the rule of law and ensure access to justice for rural dwellers, UNMIL has handed over to national authorities a newly constructed Magisterial court and Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization Check Post in Bahn, Nimba County.

 
Head of Field Office Gibril Allan Turay said the new structures will help the Liberian government bring justice closer to the people. He stressed the importance of dispensing justice without fear or favor and the need to protect the integrity of the legal process.

Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor Sr. thanked UNMIL for the projects and for the continuing support to the Judiciary. He said UNMIL remains “a true partner” in the ongoing judicial reform process in Liberia. He said the magisterial court, which is also the court of first instance, is “a major justice institution which represents access to justice, peaceful coexistence and reconciliation.” He reminded the local magistrates that “the court is a refuge for the distressed and a sanctuary for the oppressed” and therefore their decisions must be “sound and in accordance with the laws, statues and opinions of the Supreme court- the highest court in the land.” Chief Justice Korkpor thanked the people of Bahn for donating the land and advised them to take care of the facilities.
 
The BIN County Commander Maj. Oquewon Gono commended UNMIL for the construction of many such BIN posts in different parts of Nimba County and across Liberia. He pledged that the new facility would be fully utilized to bring peace and security to the people of Zoegeh district. The inauguration of the Magisterial Court and BIN check post with separate holding areas for men and women is a welcome news for more than 32,000 residents of Gbehlageh district. This brings to three of such QIP rule of law facilities constructed in Bahn. A police depot was constructed  in 2012.