The Sierra Leone Judiciary has on 30th November ended the solemn session and opening of the book of condolence in honour of the service and dedication of the late former Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Dr. Aderemi Raymond Desmond Renner-Thomas at the High Court No. 1, Law Courts Building in Freetown.

In declaring the purpose of the gathering and welcoming family members and well-wishers, the Master and Register of the High Court of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Elaine Thomas-Archibald said regrettably as opposed to other times, the gathering was a sad one in honour of the tradition of the Legal Profession which compels them to congregate in honour of a distinguished colleague who has answered the summons of the celestial courts.

“We gather in sadness but also in appreciation of the life, work and memory of the former Chief Justice of this Land, that we Love the late Dr Raymond Desmond Aderemi Renner-Thomas,” she stated.

Paying tribute on behalf of himself and the Bench, the Honourable Chief Justice His Lordship Justice

Desmond Babatunde Edwards said “Sierra Leone has lost one of her most illustrious sons and finest legal minds the nation has ever produced.”

He said the late Dr. Renner-Thomas was born 7th of September 1945 and passed away on the 17th of November 2022, at 77 years.

“He was Chief Justice from 2004 – 2008 when he was unceremoniously sent on leave until his formal retirement in 2010,” he stated.

He added that “until his proceeding on retirement, he carried out his duties as Chief Justice with notable and classical aplomb, distinction, honour and dignity.”

Referring to the late Justice Dr. Renner-Thomas as his mentor, Chief Justice Edwards stressed that the late man has played his part in the world’s stage.

On his part, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley said the late Justice Dr. Renner-Thomas was committed to ideals and played a major role in reviving and reforming the justice sector in Sierra Leone.

He referred to him as a “strong, reliable and steadfast pillar” to the course of justice.

Speaking on behalf of the President of the Bar Association, the Vice President of the Association Mohamed A. Bangura said the later Justice Dr. Renner-Thomas was a shinning example to many in the legal profession whose loss is irreparable.

In attendance also were the former President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Solicitor General, Deputy Minister of Justice, Director of Public Prosecutions, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice and the Ombudsman among others.