Monrovia, Feb. 6, 2026 — Associate Justice Jamestta H. Wolokolie of the Supreme Court of Liberia has urged judges nationwide to reaffirm their commitment to judicial independence, fairness, and transparency, cautioning that fear, compromise, and outside influence continue to erode public trust in the nation’s legal system.
Speaking at the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL) Convention on Thursday, Justice Wolokolie emphasized that judicial independence is the cornerstone of justice and must never be traded for political pressure, institutional hierarchy, or personal gain.
She revealed that, over time, she has heard some judges admit privately that they issued rulings contrary to their conscience or the law out of fear of repercussions. Such decisions, she noted, undermine the judicial oath and deny justice to the people the courts are meant to serve.
Justice Wolokolie encouraged judges to build reputations for courage and integrity, stressing that those known for impartiality and firmness are most often entrusted with sensitive and high-profile cases.
“Our Constitution already empowers judges to act without fear or favor,” she stated. “The question is whether we choose personal comfort over justice—or uphold the oath to interpret the law faithfully.”
Referencing Article 11(c) of Liberia’s Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, the Associate Justice reminded judges that true independence begins where compromise ends.
“The courts must apply the law as it is written, not as one wishes it to be,” she said. “Restraint is a strength of democracy, not a weakness.”
Addressing concerns about the Judiciary’s silence on national controversies, Justice Wolokolie clarified that courts are not political actors and can only respond to legal matters properly presented before them. “The Judiciary does not enter public debates of its own accord,” she explained.
She also highlighted transparency as vital to building public confidence, calling for open trials, timely judgments, and well-reasoned rulings that clearly explain legal reasoning. These, she said, reflect the spirit of Article 21(f) of the Constitution, which safeguards the public’s right to fair and open hearings.
“Justice must be visible to be legitimate,” Wolokolie stated. “Transparency protects judges from unfair criticism and helps citizens understand the judicial process.”
The Associate Justice further encouraged trial judges to adopt expanded pretrial conferences involving parties and their lawyers, a practice she described as promoting understanding, reducing surprises in litigation, and encouraging peaceful settlement.
Concluding her remarks, Justice Wolokolie asserted that an independent, balanced, and transparent judiciary earns public respect—even from those who lose their cases.
“There is no greater fulfillment,” she said, “than seeing litigants leave the courtroom understanding the law and accepting the outcome peacefully.”
