Welcoming Liberia’s New Chief Justice
Flashback: Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, then Corporate Secretary at the Central Bank of Liberia, with fellow staff members
.... But considering the competence and character of this Chief Justice that I know, I am convinced that she will make a difference, particularly in the dispensation of justice.
By Ben Kolako
Nearly two decades ago, hostilities erupted among Liberia’s warring factions. Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, then Corporate Secretary at the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) had to leave the country for her safety and kids. The renewed experience of war had a devastating effect on many of us who remained in Monrovia. But thank God we made it.
When hostilities subsided and we returned to work, “Corporate”, as she was affectionately referred to by staff of the Bank, could not make it to return. Her refugee life had taken her journey to the United States of America.
When the Supreme Court Bench was being reconstituted after another brokered Liberian peace talk, her name kept running through my mind. I always said to myself, “Had Cllr. Yuoh been in this country, she would be seated on the Supreme Court Bench”. This was a vision that resonated even after she emailed me to send her resumé while in the U.S.A., which I timely did. And she thanked me.
Why this vision? As my immediate boss, I knew this woman very well and could vouch for her any day, any time. A brilliant and immaculate character, “Corporate” served the CBL with pride and distinction, which earned the confidence and respect of the Executive Governor Elie Saleeby and the Bank’s Board of Governors.
Because of her exceptional performance, Cllr. Yuoh was entrusted with so much critical legal work, though she was not the In-House Counsel. She also played the role of a mother, intervening in matters affecting employees.
When I learned she was back home and started work at the Law Reform Commission, I knew this day would finally come, becoming Associate Justice and now Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia – A Vision Comes True. She comes to this new assignment at a time the Judiciary is inundated with enormous challenges. Yes, Chief Justice Yuoh will face the reality of prolonged delay of cases at courts as well as the absence of digitization of court records.
But considering the competence and character of this Chief Justice that I know, I am convinced that she will make a difference, particularly in the dispensation of justice.
Congratulations from your former staff — Mrs. Emily Baker, Atty. Ben Kolako, Ms. Edna T. Freeman and Ms. Vivian Hne. Ernest Greene would have joined us had he been alive. A Vision Comes True!