By: Yassah J Wright
Judge Ousman F. Feika, the newly elected President of the National Trial Judges Association of Liberia (NATJL), has promised that his administration will pursue a clear, structured, and measurable agenda—one that speaks directly to the professional development, institutional independence, and welfare of judges and magistrates across Liberia.
“We intent to build a strong collaborative bridge between the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) and the NATJL to strengthen access to justice, the rule of law, and other mutual beneficiary initiatives,” Judge Feika announced in his acceptance remarks over the weekend in Ganta City, Nimba County, where he outlined his priorities for the association.
“In this light, let me submit here at this juncture that the welfare of judges and especially magistrates will be treated as a priority, not a privilege,”Feika noted.
According to him, he will introduce the LPA Program as a flagship initiative to open new opportunities for improving the financial well-being of our members.
“The LPA program once established under my administration and strengthened through our collaborative efforts will provide better financial incentives, financial freedom, and economic viability so that judges and magistrates can serve without undue financial strain or vulnerability,” he said.
Feika also said he will pursue the digitization and decentralization of the NATJL loan program.
“Access to loans must no longer be limited by geography or unnecessary bureaucracy. Our goal is a modern, transparent, and efficient system that allows judges and magistrates—whether in Monrovia or the most remote magisterial area—to apply, track, and benefit easily and equitably from the loan program consistent with the constitution,” Feika noted.
According to him, his administration is committed to advancing a comprehensive and workable insurance program for members of the NATJL.
“The security of our health, lives, and families is essential to judicial independence. We will engage relevant institutions and partners to decentralize the current insurance arrangements to make it accessible, credible, affordable, and responsive to the needs of our members,” he said.
Feika announced that he will institutionalize peer-to-peer judicial training for our members.
” Experience must not retire with seniority. Knowledge must circulate. Through structured mentorship, bench-sharing forums, and practical skills workshops, magistrates and judges will learn from one another, enhancing consistency, competence, and confidence at every level of the trial courts,” he indicated.
Again, Feika said his administration will be a firm and principled advocate for judicial independence and respect for the trial bench.
” We will engage the Legislature the Executive, the Supreme Court, and the Judicial Inquiry Commission, constructively with the vision that independence does not mean isolation, and cooperation does not mean compromise of principle,” he said
“As a demonstration of our commitment to ensure transparency and accountability, we will initiate a comprehensive financial audit of the past administration for the sake of transparency and solidify the NATJL’s financial integrity,” he vowed.
Accordingly him, to properly position himself for the advocacy that is required of him, he will inform the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia of his intention to resign from the Judicial Inquiry Commission (JIC) once he receive his approbation to do so,” Feika noted.
He reiterated that his administration will be disciplined, accountable and inclusive.
“Every magistrate, no matter his/her assignment, matters and will be taken seriously as a nerve of the Judiciary. Hence, our administration will be magistrate focused. No member will be invisible. No voice will be ignored or forgotten,” he noted.
He further reminded his colleagues that the Trial Judges Association is the foundation upon which public confidence in justice is built.
“We are the first point of contact between the law and the people. When we are strong, independent, and supported, justice thrives. When we are neglected, justice suffers. This administration will not preside over neglect,” he added.
Judge Feika was over the weekend elected president of the National Association of Trial Judges of Liberia (NATJL), during the association’s annual conference held in Ganta City, Nimba County.
He secured 165 votes to defeat Judge Tweh Wesseh, a Debt Court Judge from Grand Kru County, according to results announced at the conference.