The Inquirer (Monrovia)
11 November 2008
As the November term of court begins, several major cases have been placed on the dockets of the relevant courts.
Prominent among the cases are the Hans Willian/Madia Paykue alleged Murder of Little Angel Togba; the slain Chinese murder case; Senator Roland Kaine and Pastor Fatoma murder cases.
All of the above cases when assigned are expected to be heard in Criminal Court "A" before Judge Boima Kontoe who was retained for this term while Kaine case is expected to be heard in court "B" before Judge Yussif Kaba, resident Judge of the Civil Law Court.
Presiding over the opening of the courts yesterday, Judge Kaba blamed the delay of trial proceedings on lawyers who he said are not sometimes aware of the issues in said proceedings.
The Criminal Court "B" Judge told the audience that the Judiciary should be seen and taken as one of the institutions that need to be held in high esteem but due to the laziness of some lawyers to press for the speedy adjudication of their cases, judges are being rendered ineffective.
He also lashed out at court staff including sheriffs for extorting money from clients to carry out their duties. Judge Kaba said that the court is charging unnecessary fees and if their hopes of getting money are dashed they do not go on the court's errand, thereby paralyzing the court proceedings.
Judge Kaba said that many times it is the judge who gives orders for lawyers representing cases to appear when they know fully well that their case had been assigned. He also said that the court staffs need to be active on their duty and not leave their work to the judges.
But, a practicing lawyer, Theophilus Gould differed, pointing out that what lawyers have been able to do is to educate the public. He said that there are even some judges who do not acquaint themselves with the case filed before calling a case.
He said that some judges wait until the case is called and then they gather lawyers to ask from where the case should be taken and as a result their reserved ruling are seen by the public as a delay.
The Nathaniel Wilson, a kindergarten teacher of the Early Learning Foundation School who has allegedly raped a two year minor has been scheduled to court today at the Monrovia City Court, Temple of Justice. Defendant Wilson was arrested in the Gardnerville Community, investigated and subsequently charged with statutory rape in violation of section 14.70 of the Penal Code of Liberia pending court trial.
The two years, nine month old baby was reported to have been sexually abused during school hours on November 3, 2008 by her 39 years old study class teacher, Wilson, alias Uncle M. Medical report from the MFS Island Clinic has also confirmed that the victim was suffering from blood clots, abrasion and ulceration hymen due to the act.
Accordingly, the police investigation revealed that the victim was noticed by her mother when she returned home with her under clothe soaked with blood. The older sister of the victim told the police investigation that she saw blood few minutes after the alleged perpetrator dismissed the victim from the class.
She narrated that Mr. Wilson left the victim near their house, which was somehow unusual of him. The defendant who was however acquainted with his constitutional rights before being detained at the Monrovia Central Prison has denied all allegations levied against him.
Many persons who heard the news and then talked with our reporters expressed immense shock over the news of such alleged rape case.
They expressed their grave desire for the government to lay a unique and great emphasis and exhibit great meditation on the issue of rape in Liberia to save the next Liberian generation. "This is very disturbing", one seemingly frustrated observer painfully lamented.
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