PHOTO: Pres Weah speaking in the Supreme Court Chambers
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
TEMPLE OF JUSTICE, Monrovia-The Liberian President, George Manneh Weah has told the gathering of lawyers, foreign diplomats and family members of the Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, that he has retired from his post as Chief Justice but he is not tired, because he will still provide legal services in another direction.
The ceremony took place here on Tuesday, September 27, 2022.
“I will vomit everything that I’ve been keeping because all the time when I come as visitor to the Supreme Court, I can’t be permitted to speak,” the Liberian leader asserted.
The Chief Justice is retiring in line with constitutional provision in Liberia that mandates all members of the Supreme Court Bench must retire at the age of 70, the age he clocked in September this year.
The outgoing and incoming Chiefs Justice (right) with Bar Pres. Cllr. Rennie (left)
President Weah recalled that outgoing Chief Justice Korkpor during his work at the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC), which was established by the Catholic Church in the early 1990s to address human rights abuses and injustices in our society,”former Chief justice Kporkpor quietly but fearlessly made the case for justice and peace for all Liberians, but especially for the underprivileged and the poor.”
“Many times, his work brought him into conflict with some of Liberia’s past leaders, but he always remained steadfast to the cause of justice,” the Liberian Leader said, adding that Justice Korkpor’s record for almost two decades from Associate Justice to Chief Justice on the Supreme Court bench has remained exemplary and outstanding.
“He dedicated his time, first as an Associate Justice and later as Chief Justice, to seeing through key judicial reforms – as well as embarking on the development of major additions and improvements of court infrastructures throughout the country, thereby bringing justice closer to the people,” President Weah pointed out.
“Our little secret.”
The Liberian Chief Executive used the occasion to speak fondly of his youthful interaction with the outgoing Chief Justice.
Pres Weah and other top officials seated during the occasion
He said, referring directly to Cllr Kporkpor: “And now, on a personal note, I would like to inform this audience that Chief Justice Korkpor is not stranger to me. Papay, now that you are retiring, I am about to burst out our little secret. I am free now to talk, so now I’m talking. I took all these years to hide our secret.”
President Weah then continued: “I have been knowing the Papay since 1986, some 36 years ago. At that time, he was a serious I.E (that’s the Invincible Eleven local football club) supporter, and as I was a player for I.E. He was a very kind person to me. Many times, during my school days, when it was rough, I used to go to his office, and he never failed me. Moreover, not only was he very generous to me, but through his advice and guidance, he became a mentor to me, and a strong father figure in my life.”
“So, Papay, as you retire today, I can now tell the world that you are my Pa. I can go around you now and associate freely with you. I know you are retiring now, but I am still your son, yeah. Now that you are leaving Government, I am still your son, yeah. So thank you, Papay, for everything that you have done for me. When times were hard, you were there. When times were good, you were still there. But what I enjoy most is the respect that we kept for each other respect and love,” said the Liberian leader.
He said even though Justice Kporkpor has retired, “I know that you are not tired. So, l will continue to seek your wise counsel when needed”.
Commitment to transparent justice
In a related development, President Weah has reiterated his government’s commitment to the dispensation of justice and the protection of human rights where the Judiciary is independent and robust.
“We are fully cognizant of the crucial role the Judiciary plays in the maintenance of our hard-earned peace,” the President said.
“Therefore, as we head to general and presidential elections next year, it is expected that you will continue to be of critical importance in our efforts to solidify our democratic credentials as a Nation.”
The President of Liberia also called on members of the Judiciary to endeavor to ensure that blind justice is done to all and that they would do well by relying “on the excellent foundations that have been laid by Justice Francis Korkpor and his colleagues during his leadership of this honorable Supreme Court”.
Dr. Weah said that the most fundamental precept of Liberia’s legal system is the guarantee of rights and freedoms, which makes the judiciary cardinal to the democracy my administration continues to strive to consolidate.
“Over the past several years, we have been deliberate in this national project, as we endeavor to maintain the independence that this branch of government ought to have,” the President said.
“I must therefore applaud all of your efforts in this regard, particularly the man who we are here to honor today, the outgoing Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia, His Honor Francis Korkpor,” President Weah added.
Justice Korkpor says he’ll miss the job
For his part, the retired Chief Justice Korkpor thanked the Liberian people who through their respective representatives confirmed him to serve this nation for many.
He told the audience at the Temple of Justice that he and his family will remain grateful to former President Sirleaf for appointing as Associate Justice and later Chief Justice to serve his country.
“No mattter what critics may say, their decisions have helped stabilize peace in Liberia especially in handling election disputes. I will miss every moment we spent together,“ the outgoing Chief Justice told his colleagues and lawyers.
Also giving his ceremonial speech, Associate Justice Yusuf B. Kaba said it him time to penned down his farewell speech to the Chief Justice, because he couldn’t just find the words to describe his humanity.
Korkpor was “A father and a mentor”- says Justice Kaba
Justice Kaba disclosed that he has been knowing Chief Justice Korkpor since 1998, when he (Kaba) entered the Judiciary after serving two terms as Circuit Court Judge when the retired Chief Justice interacted with him.
The Associate Justice added that retired Chief Justice Korkpor was indeed a father and mentor for him and many others in the legal profession.
“At the end of every journey, most people only remember the negative than the positive about you as he assumed retired Chief Justice Korkpor of always remembering him.”
Also bidding farewell to retired Chief Justice Korkpor was Associate Justice Joseph N. Nagbe, who said the retired Chief Justice went beyond his national duty to serve humanity.
He added that when he Nagbe was appointed on the Supreme Court bench, he never knew where to start from but the retired Chief Justice Korkpor served as teacher and mentor for him without complaining.
“It takes a national leader who is very busy to leave his duty and visit me on my sick bed both home and abroad Justice Nagbe explained to the gathering.”
The retired Chief Justice was really caring for his colleagues on the Supreme Court bench and now that he is leaving the bench but not leaving Liberia and thank you for guiding me and you will be our consultant adding that the older the wine, the sweeter it becomes, Justice Nagbe indicated.
Incoming Chief Justice heaps praises on Korkpor & reflects
As for her incoming Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh said she and the retired Chief Justice didn’t meet on the Supreme Court bench but they were classmates at the Louis Arthur Grime school of law in 1988.
She recalled that during their school days at the law school, they from Monrovia used have this issue of Monrovia girls and country boys but the retired Chief Justice used to tell his country boys that they shouldn’t follow the Monrovia girls.
Lawyers and other guests attending the occasion and members foreign diplomats
According to her, they were 60 who graduated from the Louise Arthur Grimes Law School and she was the only female among the males who graduated.
Incoming Chief Justice Yuoh revealed that when the Third World War came, she escaped from Liberia with her children and went abroad but the retired Chief Justice kept searching for her until he got her contact from her relative and called her to come back to Liberia. But she was surprised when heard the voice of the retired Chief Justice and she was still traumatized to return to Liberia.
“The retired Chief Justice however, kept encouraging me to return to Liberia and my name was selected by members of the Bar to be appointed as Associate Justice, but yet I was still traumatized on this war situation in my country, but his constant call and encouragement led me to return to Liberia.”
Associate Justice said she and the retired Chief Justice has a bond of searching for each other after they graduated from the law school.
She narrated that even though all wasn’t bread and butter for them on the bench, sometimes they will bitterly argue during their deliberations over cases in their robin room but the retired Chief Justice will always tell them to sleep on issue in order to make informed decisions.
“On the Korkpor Bench during his tenure, we were one family member. Just as you went about finding me in another country, I will continue to find you as well,” the incoming Chief Justice of the Supreme Court added.
Finally, Associate Justice Jamesetta Howard Wolokolie also bided farewell to the retired Chief Justice Korkpor, saying that when she was appointed in July of 2008, she met four passengers on the train including the retired Chief Justice.
“I will remember retired Chief Justice Korkpor for his writings and skills and his greatest virtues was to respect each other and his mature ways of handling things. I will miss him and I will tell his story everywhere I go,” Justice Wolokolie briefly explained.
The program was well attended by top government officials, members of the diplomatic corps and other international dignitaries.
The grounds of the Temple of Justice were well decorated with security measures put in place in addition to the display of cultural performances.