Liberia mourns fallen former justice

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf led members of the cabinet to the Temple of Justice in Monrovia Thursday to sign the book of condolence following the death of retired associate justice of the Supreme Court Cllr. Cllr. Clarence Lorenzo Simpson, Jr.

In line with protocol, Vice President Joseph Boakai also turned out for the signing of the book of condolence, after President Sirleaf departed the premises of the Temple of Justice. Liberia’s Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr. described the late Cllr. Simpson as one of the great lawyers and legal minds of Liberia, citing some of the high portfolios he held in Liberia’s legal systems before his retirement as associate justice of the Supreme Court.

The fallen lawyer served as Attorney General and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia during the rule of late President William R. Tolbert. Chief Justice Korkpor said Cllr. Simpson left huge legacy, noting that serving as associate justice, the fallen counselor wrote insightful opinions and made decisions that will be in the judicial history of Liberia.

Besides working as Minister of Justice and Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Chief Justice Korkpor told journalists at the Temple of Justice yesterday the late Cllr. Simpson was always available to provide advice to the Judiciary when he needed to. 

“More than that, when we needed advice from senior lawyers, Cllr. Simpson was always available. We have organs here like the Judiciary Inquiry Commission; the Grievance and Ethics Commission – he served on these committees,” the Chief Justice said. He added that late Cllr. Simpson was very useful even though he was retired from the active practice of law, describing his death as “a

loss” to Liberia, the judiciary and the legal community here. He said the counselor was ill before he died, though he did not know
the cause of death.

By Winston W. Parley-Edited by Jonathan Browne