Former Court of Appeal judge, Gerry Raimondo. (Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio)

A former judge calls for appointment of more judges to the Court of Appeal in South Sudan to review and speed up cases in the country.

Gerry Raimondo Legge said insufficient number of judges has triggered a backlog of cases leading to miscarriage of justice.

Justice Raimondo recommended that the Judiciary promotes more judges to the Court of Appeal to bring the number to 25.

“The number of judges is not adequate. And especially justices of the Court of Appeal. In Juba, we have not more than six. In Juba, we need not less than 25 justices of the Court of Appeal,” Raimondo said.

The former jurist said even the 6 serving judges working on double basis, both in the Court of Appeal and the High Court – a situation which he termed inadequate.

Delayed trials caused by insufficient judges has resulted in overcrowding at various prisons across the country, according to prison authorities.

In March 2023, the Director of National Prison Services said the main facility receives 40 suspected gangs, mostly young people on a daily basis.

Raimondo, a lecturer of Law at the University of Juba said other challenges facing the justice system are lack of conducive courtrooms and working environments.

“Some judges are coming on foot. Some judges, especially in the states, in Juba, here, use public transport. Those who are lucky, they’re using their own.”

Meanwhile, Justice Raimondo downplayed an Interior Ministry suggestion to have an independent committee established to oversee the selection of judges, arguing that the Judiciary is independent.

He stated that the Judiciary Service Commission is already in existence and in charge of appointing, disciplining, promotion and retirement of judges.

“The policymaker and Judicial Service Commission is governed by what we call Judicial Service Council Act 2008 and the members of the Judicial Service Commission,” he said.