By Francis H. Murray
The United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, has commended the Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards on the ongoing reforms at the judiciary under his leadership.
The UN top diplomat in the country made the commendation during his first visit to the judiciary and the Chief Justice on Monday 14th December, at the Law Courts building on Siaka Stevens in Freetown.
Dr. Ahonsi said that he was impressed with the huge reforms within the judiciary so far, which he said was very fundamental in building a better country.
“The issue of justice is very critical in achieving the development priority of the government of Sierra Leone,” he said, adding: “without justice there will be no peace, without peace there will be no development.”
While he assured the judiciary of his support to achieve their mandates, he also commended the CJ’s administration for progress made in protecting the human rights of women and girls.
The Resident Coordinator was accompanied by the UN Peace and Development Adviser, Simonette Rossi and Osman Benk Sankoh, the Programme Communications and Advocacy Officer in the office of the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Ahonsi arrived in the country on 25th September and resumed work on the 28th of the same month.
Citing UN’s longstanding relationship with the judiciary, the Nigerian diplomat highlighted at the meeting with the CJ his readiness to strengthen and to achieve Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
The goal aims at promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
While handing over a copy of the UN magazine to Justice Edwards, the UN Resident Coordinator lauded the Chief Justice and said he was glad that the CJ was accorded the opportunity to serve his country in such an enviable capacity.
Simonette Rossi, the UN Peace and Development Adviser, inquired whether there were any documented reports on the death penalty, stressing that they were also interested in progress report to ascertain adherence to the moratorium.
Welcoming the UN team, Justice Edwards said there are two sides of the arguments for or against the death penalty, confirming however that since the moratorium was slammed, that provision has not been effected.
Edwards used the occasion to thank the UN delegation, especially the UNDP, for reviving the High Court Criminal Sessions. He noted that even though the UNDP has stopped funding, the judiciary has been proud to finance the High Court Criminal Sessions with funds from the Government of Sierra Leone.
CJ Edwards went on to note that in a bid to enhance access to justice, fair and expeditious trial, the judiciary has been engaged in the holding of High Court Criminal Sessions across the country in places such as Kailahun, Kabala, Mattru Jong, Moyamba, Magburuka, Pujehun, Falaba and Port Loko. He also informed the delegation that seven new High Court Justices have recently been appointed, three promoted to the Court of Appeals and eleven Magistrates also appointed.
Edwards maintained that in order to address the issue of congestion in prisons, there have been instances where prisoners have been released after years of imprisonment without trial.
“To address the issue of decongestion, 45 prisoners were released on ‘Habeas Corpus’ proceedings during the Judicial week, September 2019,” he said, adding, “they were kept behind bars for different number of years without trial and I think it was wrong and against the principles of natural justice.”
Edwards said his administration will no longer wait for aid before executing its functions.
“We would still welcome those donors who will take it on themselves to partner with us. Together we can achieve the SDG 16,” he said.
The visit was concluded by the inspection of the Sexual Offences Model Court.
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