The Court of Appeal and the First Instance Tribunal of Oyem, located in the Woleu-Ntem province, held their judicial year opening ceremony on October 30, 2026. The event took place in the tribunal's main courtroom and was attended by various dignitaries, including Inspector General of Judicial Services Apollinaire Ondo Mvé, President of the Gabonese National Order of Lawyers Raymond Obame Sima, and Prefect of Woleu Brice Arcadius Moussirou.
The ceremony saw the installation of Rita Ntsame Obiang as the new President of the Chamber of the Oyem Court of Appeal, a position she was promoted to during the September 16, 2026, Council of the Judiciary. The new judicial year was placed under the theme of "efficiency, accessibility, and ethics" by the First President of the Oyem Court of Appeal, Frédérique Ndombi Bitar.
In her address, Frédérique Ndombi Bitar emphasized the importance of ethics and deontology in the judiciary, stating that they are not just empty words or disciplinary rules, but rather the foundation of the profession. She also highlighted the crucial role of magistrates and court clerks as guardians of social peace and depositaries of the people's trust.
The First President also extended her congratulations to Rita Ntsame Obiang, encouraging her to ensure that her chamber is a sanctuary of listening, impartiality, and high jurisprudence. Danielle Boundono Ebang Ondo Eyi, Attorney General at the Court of Appeal, also gave a lecture on the theme "The Magistrate and Social Media: Between Freedom of Expression and Impartiality."
The event was attended by various authorities, including judicial, civil, military, and religious officials serving in the northern region of Gabon. The presence of these dignitaries underscores the significance of the event and the importance of the judiciary in maintaining social order and upholding the rule of law.
The new judicial year in Oyem is expected to focus on improving the efficiency and accessibility of justice, while maintaining high ethical standards. The court's efforts to promote a culture of ethics and deontology are seen as crucial in building trust in the judiciary and ensuring that justice is served.
The ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Oyem judiciary, with a renewed commitment to upholding the principles of justice, equality, and fairness. The court's efforts to promote efficiency, accessibility, and ethics are expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens in the Woleu-Ntem province and beyond.
Key points
- The Oyem judicial authorities have launched their 2026-2027 judicial year with a focus on efficiency, accessibility, and ethics.
- The new judicial year was marked by the installation of Rita Ntsame Obiang as President of the Chamber of the Oyem Court of Appeal.
- The court's efforts to promote a culture of ethics and deontology are seen as crucial in building trust in the judiciary and ensuring that justice is served.
