Monrovia – On 15 June 2017, the UNMIL Officer-in-Charge, Waldemar Vrey, while handing over office equipment to the Liberia’s Judicial Inquiry Commission at the Temple Justice called for integrity by the judicial branch of the government to ensure long-term peace and stability of Liberia, being the cornerstone of a developing democracy and advocating for the supremacy of the rule of law.

“The success of the judicial branch in undertaking this role is fully dependent on having the confidence of the people of Liberia. This requires an independent judiciary and ethical conduct and behaviour on the part of the judges,” said Mr. Vrey while handing over the equipment to Liberia’s Chief Justice, Francis S. Korkpor, Sr.

He emphasized that public acceptance of and support for the decisions of the court depends on public confidence in the integrity and of the independence of the bench. “This Judicial Inquiry Commission must be seen as integral to ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law, having the sole role to receive and investigate complaints against judges for violation of judicial canons,” he said.

Liberia Judicial Inquiry Commission, which comprises the Chief Justice and two Associate Justices, has the exclusive power and authority to receive and investigate complaints against Judges of Courts of record and non-record in the Republic of Liberia for violation of any provision of the judicial canons.

The donation from UNMIL comprises computers, printers, office desks, tables, chairs and other assorted stationery that will enable the Judicial Inquiry Commission to set up its Secretariat.

The event was also attended by the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of Liberia Philips A. Z. Banks, III and Sie-A-Nyene G. Youh, and Court Administration, Cllr. Elizabeth J. Nelson.