Judge Osuman F. Feika of the Fifth Judicial Circuit Court in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County, has told judicial actors and citizens that everyone has an obligation to help weed the society from illicit or harmful drugs and substances.
Making the disclosure on Monday, November 11, 2024, at the formal opening of the November A.D. Term of Court for criminal courts across the country, Judge Feika said individuals charged with drug offenses are not deemed guilty before trial as being perceived by members of the public, and are entitled to a fair and impartial trial like any other citizen accused of transgressing the law.
“It is therefore my candid advice that accused drug traffickers or offenders take advantage of the courts’ assignment of their cases and have the opportunity to exonerate themselves from the charges,” said Judge Feika.
“You can never exonerate yourself from a charge brought against you by law enforcement officers by refusing to come to court and putting up a strong defense in favor of your innocence,” the judge said, adding that everyone has the responsibility to enhance the rule of law and commit to a fair and impartial trial for all no matter their status in society. “We must all work together in ensuring that the perception of a corrupt Judiciary is simply a mere cliché”, Judge Feika said.
At the same time, the judge urged lawyers to file their legal memorandum for the disposition of law issues before the date of the hearing, as doing so will enable the court to make determination on the law issue on the day of the hearing instead of postponing any ruling for a subsequent date.
He said they have been having some challenges with filing of legal memorandum by lawyers and the court intends to ensure that the requirement is scrupulously adhered to going forward.
He told lawyers that he is not interested in imposing fines on them for failing to file their legal memorandum but the court is interested in the legal memorandum.
By T.Q. Lula Jaurey
