May 26, 2021
The Honourable Chief Justice Desmond
Babatunde Edwards and the Judiciary of Sierra Leone regret
to announce the passing away of one of Sierra Leone’s eminent
former Judges in the person of Honourable Justice Dr.
Rosolu Bankole John Thompson.
Before his death on 15th May, 2021, Justice Dr. Thompson
served as one of the Commissioners for the Commissions of
Inquiry set up by Government of Sierra Leone to look at three
key issues: governance processes, assets, and forensic audits of the erstwhile Government. He also served at the Special Court for Sierra Leone from 2002 to 2021.
In honour of his remarkable and dedicated service to the Judiciary of Sierra Leone and the country as a whole, the Judiciary will be opening a Book of Condolence and hold a solemn Tribute Session in Honour of the late Justice Dr. Thompson on Thursday 27th May, 2021 at 10am at the High Court No. 1. The Judiciary flag will be flown half-mast from the 27th May, 2021 to 4th June, 2021.
The Judiciary encourages all its active and retired members, members of the Sierra Leone Bar Association and the General Legal Council to attend the signing ceremony of the Book of Condolence as we honour the life and selfless service of our own.
The late Justice Dr. Thompson was born on the 15th December 1936 and died 15 May 2021, aged 84. Thompson was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone to Sierra Leonean parents of Creole descent. He started his earlier education at the Prince of Wales School in Freetown, and later gained admission to study Philosophy and Liberal Arts at Fourah Bay College. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and a later pursued his postgraduate Master’s degree.
He was awarded a fellowship to study at Christ’s College Cambridge where he received an LLB, LLM, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Law. He was a member of the Inner Temple and was subsequently called to the Bar in England in 1971.
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Mrs. Adiatu Thompson. May His Soul Rest in Perfect Peace, Amen.