Liberia Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh has sounded the alarm over what she perceives as an unjust imposition of budgetary allotments on the Judiciary Branch of Government, while other branches, notably the Executive and Legislature, enjoy more favorable allocations.
Addressing attendees at the conference for international Judges held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Justice Yuoh lamented the marginalization of the Judiciary in the budgetary process.
She highlighted the discrepancy between the budgetary allotment received by the Judiciary and the provisions outlined in the Financial Autonomy Act, which mandates autonomy in financial matters for the Judiciary.
Expressing concerns over this disparity, Justice Yuoh revealed ongoing discussions with other branches of government to rectify the situation and ensure that the Judiciary receives its rightful allocation.
“We have engaged with the President, presenting a clear plan starting with the implementation of the Financial Autonomy Act for the Judiciary. We have also raised awareness regarding the pending case concerning the Association of Trial Judges and emphasized the legal framework governing the salaries of judges and justices of the Supreme Court,” Justice Yuoh emphasized.
“Meetings have also been held with key figures within the Legislature to advocate for fair treatment in budgetary matters”, Liberia’s Chief Justice said.
Justice Yuoh underscored the importance of equal participation for all branches of government in the budgetary process, emphasizing that the Judiciary should not be subjected to imposed allotments.
Highlighting the Judiciary’s status as a separate branch of government, Justice Yuoh stressed the need for adherence to legal provisions in all matters concerning the Judiciary.
Furthermore, Justice Yuoh warned against the illegality of excluding the Judiciary from the budgetary process, asserting that failure to involve the Judiciary would warrant a reevaluation of the entire budgetary framework.
In a bold stance, Justice Yuoh declared the Judiciary’s refusal to defend its budget, citing parity with the Executive and Legislature, which do not personally defend their allocations.
Emphasizing the constitutional basis for her position, Justice Yuoh reiterated that the Judiciary operates independently and should be accorded the same respect and treatment as other branches of government.
With reliance on constitutional provisions, Justice Yuoh emphasized the need for equitable treatment in salary allocations, citing the law’s mandate for parity between the Chief Justice and other high-ranking government officials.
Justice Yuoh’s remarks underscore the urgent need for fair and transparent budgetary processes that respect the autonomy and independence of the Judiciary, ensuring its effective functioning as a coequal branch of government.
Credit: Willie N. Tokpah/Contributing Writer
