Cllr. Cyril Jones Urges Cape Mount to Elect Leaders of Integrity

Robertsport — Former President of the Liberian National Bar Association and senior member of the Grand Cape Mount County Bar, Cllr. Cyril Jones, has called on citizens of the county to prioritize integrity when electing leaders, rather than choosing politicians focused on personal gain.

Cllr. Jones made these remarks while responding to the Judge’s charge during a program on November 11, 2024.

Speaking passionately, Cllr. Jones lamented the misrepresentation of Grand Cape Mount County in the legislature, criticizing elected officials for failing to act in the interest of their constituents. He stressed that a significant portion of the national budget is allocated to the Legislature and Executive branches of government, but these branches often blame one another for mismanagement.

“We must elect people who have credibility, people with good character and integrity,” Jones said. “We need to stop electing individuals who know nothing about governance or lawmaking and are instead focused on enriching themselves.”

He further highlighted the need for the Liberian government to strengthen access to justice by providing adequate funding for the judiciary. “Imagine the House of Representatives is at a standstill. And who suffers the consequences? It’s us, the citizens,” Cllr. Jones told the audience of Cape Mountaineans.

Jones also addressed concerns about jury management in Liberia’s judicial system, noting that the same group of jurors is often recycled each court term due to a lack of funding to support the judiciary. He underscored the need for better resources for prosecutors and public defenders to carry out their duties efficiently.

“Even the prosecutors and public defenders need the necessary support to do their work efficiently,” Jones concluded.

In related judicial news, Judge Joe S. Barkon of the Second Judicial Circuit Court in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, ordered the release of 24 pre-trial detainees from the Upper Buchanan Central Prison. The detainees had been held for over two years without trial.

The release followed the opening of the November Term of Court on November 11, 2024, and served as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by prolonged detention due to inefficiencies within the justice system.