Yet Other Well-Wishers Thronged The Temple Of Justice
“I have played my part and it’s time to leave now,” retired Chief Justice Yuoh said emotionally.
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
On Friday, August 15, 2025, the seat of the Liberian Judiciary, Temple of Justice in Monrovia was a place of emotions and also a celebration, where family members, sympathizers, legal community and well-wishers gathered in the chambers of the Supreme Court to bid farewell to retired Chief Justice Sie-A-Nynene G. Yuoh.
However, the President, Justice Minister, hierarchy of the Legislature were absent from the occasion for reason yet to be known.
Retired Justice Yuoh reached the constitutional retirement age of 70 on June 26,2025.
Retired Chief Justice Yuoh
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Her Honor Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh was born in Montserrado County, Republic of Liberia. She obtained her high school education and diploma from the St. Teresa’s Convent, a Catholic High School in Monrovia in 1974, thereafter which, she enrolled at the Cuttington University College (CUC), now Cuttington University (CU), in Suakoko, Bong County, in pursuit of her tertiary education where she graduated in 1978 with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Political Science.
In 1979, Chief Justice Yuoh enrolled at the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, University of Liberia, where she was trained as a lawyer. In 1981, she successfully completed her law studies at this institution and obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree and was subsequently admitted into the Liberia National Bar Association as an Attorney-At-Law. Her Honor was also admitted as Counsellor-At-Law of the Supreme Court Bar in 1988.
PUBLIC & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Gyapay Yuoh began her public and professional service within the Executive Branch, Republic of Liberia, first at the Ministry of Justice as an Assistant Minister for Legal Affairs from 1983 – 1985, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as the Coordinator, African Affairs, 1988 – 1990, the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) as Corporate Secretary/Assistant Legal Counsel/Secretary, Board of Governors of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) from 2000 – 2003 and lastly at the Law Reform Commission, where she served as Acting Executive Director and Commissioner respectively from July 2011 – April 2013.
Chief Justice Yuoh also extended her professional legal services within the private sector where she served as Associate and Legal Counsel at the David A.B. Jallah Law Firm, on Johnson Street, Monrovia Liberia, from 1994 – 2000.
In 2013, Madam Justice Yuoh, was nominated, appointed and subsequently commissioned as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
PROFESSIONAL & SOCIAL AFFILIATION
Madam Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh has proudly served as Vice President of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) from 1994 – 1998; was a founding member of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) and served as its 1st Vice President from 1997 – 1998; Chairperson of the Judiciary Committee of the Liberia National Bar Association (LNBA) from 2012 – 2013 and also served as President of the Maryland County Local Bar Association in 2013.
Her Honor, Chief Justice Yuoh is married, and she and her husband, are blessed with ten (10) children and two (2) grandchildren.
Retired Chief Justice Yuoh was nominated as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia on August 23,2022 by former President George M. Weah to replace retired Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor.
However, the President, Justice Minister, hierarchy of the Legislature were absent from the occasion for reason yet to be known.
Cllr. Bonnor M. Varmah, President of the Liberia National Bar Association, extolled her groundbreaking role as LNBA’s first Vice President, noting that her departure fulfills Article 72(b) of the Constitution’s requirement for a graceful end to a judicial career. He underscored her commitment to transforming justice from concept into practice and her guidance to Associate Justices over the years.
The Justice Minister and Dean of the Supreme Court Bar was represented by Cllr. Augustine Fayiah of Justice and Dean of the Supreme Court Bar, commended her transformative leadership and her achievement in securing fiscal independence for the Judiciary.
Cllr. Fayiah stated, she seeks justice for all Liberians in pursuit of Judicial independence, transformative reform, and the Visionary Leadership.
Your tenure has been marked by persistent Rayce your appointment in 2013, you have exemplified bold and efforts to modernize our judiciary, launching strategic plans aimed advocating fiercely for the financial autonomy that safeguards our at reducing case backlogs, improving infrastructure, and long with courts,’ independence the Solicitor General added.
He furthered, The legislation you championed to grant financial independence is testament to your unwavering belief that “an independent judiciary stands as a landmark achievement and endurance is the cornerstone of democracy and the foundation of justice” Your dedication to justice extends far beyond structural reforms especially women and children, advocating tirelessly for equitable You have been a passionate champion for vulnerable groups, access to justice.
“Your service as Vice President and your role as a Your leadership within the Liberia National Bar Association, founding member of the Association of Female Lawyers, underscored your lifelong commitment to empowering women in the legal profession and narrowing Liberia’s gender-justice gap” Solicitor General indicated.
“Throughout your distinguished career, you faced many challenges-underfunded courts, bureaucratic inertia, and resource limitations-but your resilience and unwavering focus on reform have left an indelible mark. As you often said, “Justice is the foundation upon which peace and development stand.”
“You have inspired a new generation of jurists and reformers, laying a foundation for a judiciary that is more efficient, independent, and responsive to the needs of our people,” Cllr.Fayiah recounted.
As a testament to her tireless work, Cllr. Fayiah said, As retired Chief Justice Yuoh stepped into her retirement, she leave behind characterized by trailblazing leadership and strategic reform-pioneering a modern judiciary that upholds justice, fairness, and empowered countless individuals and communities across e rule of law.
“Your contributions have transformed our judiciary
On behalf of the Ministry of Justice, and as the Dean of the Supreme Court Bar, your dedicated service, exemplary leadership, and unwavering Supreme Court Bar, I want to express our deepest gratitude for commitment to justice.”
Liberia is proud of your legacy as a reformer, a trailblazer, and a champion of judicial independence
enduring change, happens one step at a time.” remarkable In the words of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “Real change, journey exemplifies this truth, inspiring us all to continue working toward a more just and equitable society.
May your retirement be filled with the recognition you so richly deserve, and may your future endeavors continue to inspire and uplift our nation.
“You will also be remembered when we wasting your time during cases hearing, you tell us pray”.
Her Honor Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson, Associate Justice, celebrated Chief Youh’s tenure as a woman leader, highlighting her attention to detail and her role in restoring and rebranding the Court.
“We I first took over as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Chief justice Yuoh mentored me how to write opinions where she will correct me to change my English where necessary” Justice Clinton Johnson expressed.
“I was vexed during my first term of Court at the Supreme Court as an Associate Justice because retired Justice Yuoh used to give hard time especially when you think you have arrived with opinions only for her to tell you, go back and look at it but it was truly a learning curve for me” she stated. I will dearly miss her madam Clinton Johnson in an emotional way.
Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, Sr., conveyed institutional gratitude, reflecting that her contributions will endure and wishing her well on her next journey.
Associate Justice Yussif D. Kaba praised her visionary rebranding of the Judiciary, her instrumental role in instituting judicial financial autonomy through legislation, and the upgrading of judicial infrastructures across regions.
“Chief Justice will be remembered for enforcing the Judiciary financial autonomy act stressing that during the past regime, this act was ignored by the two branches of government. He also remembered for the construction of Judicial complexes beginning in Maryland County and some magisterial courts in Paynesville, Banderville and Breverville respectively.
Senior Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie expressed appreciation for the historic increase in the Judiciary’s budget from US$18M to US $23 million and for the strategic five-year developmental plan she initiated for the judicial arm.
“She will be missed for her bravery especially in fighting for the increment of the Judiciary budget and Judiciary infrastructures improvement” Justice Wolokolie expressed emotionally.
She furthered that the two branches of government namely, the Legislature and Executive in past have treated the Judiciary Branch of Government like a mere Ministry but through the bravery of the retired Chief Justice, Judiciary has now experienced light on it.
In her remarks, Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh reflected on her 30+ years of service and acknowledged that she was retiring as prescribed by the Constitution at age 70. She recounted her appointment as Chief Justice in 2022, amidst a politically charged election period. Emphasizing that while governance may shift hands, the law remains constant, she reaffirmed its primacy as the society’s enduring foundation.
“I’m going to rest and be with my family, especially my grandchildren, “retired Chief Justice Yuoh told the gathering.
“I have played my part and it’s time to leave now” retired Chief Justice Yuoh stated emotionally.