Presiding Judge Roosevelt Z. Willie of the 13th Judicial Circuit Court has ordered the Ministry of Justice to provide food for detainees who are brought to court for trial.
Judge Willie issued the order Tuesday during proceedings involving defendants accused of drug trafficking, including the widely followed Quita Dolo Koso case.
The judge directed the Ministry of Justice, through Solicitor General Cllr. Augustine C. Fayiah and Margibi County Attorney Cllr. Deddeh Wilson, to ensure that the detainees receive food while they remain in court.
The court heard that detainees are taken from the Kakata Central Prison as early as 8:00 a.m. and can remain in court until 5:00 p.m. before being returned to the prison without food.
Judge Willie, in his ruling noted that the accused persons have no means of getting food for themselves during the long hours they spend in court.
He described leaving detainees without food throughout the day as inhumane and said their basic welfare must be taken seriously.
The judge said the Ministry of Justice, which has responsibility for persons in its custody, must ensure that detainees are properly cared for while they are being held by the state.
He therefore ordered the ministry to make arrangements to provide meals for detainees on days when they are required to appear in court.
The order comes as the 13th Judicial Circuit continues to hear drug-related cases, including the case involving Quita Dolo Koso, who was recently sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to drug-related charges.
The Quita Dolo Koso case has drawn attention to drug trafficking prosecutions before the Margibi court, with her guilty plea bringing her case to an end through a conviction and prison sentence.
Judge Willie’s directive, however, concerns the treatment of detainees during court proceedings and does not determine the guilt or innocence of defendants whose cases are still pending.
