SANNIQUELLIE, Nimba – Judge Emery S. Paye has retired as the resident judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit Court in Sanniquellie.

During the retirement ceremony, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Francis S. Korkpor, said Paye was being retired in line with the constitution, which requires justices and judges to retire at the age of 70.

“Today is a special day for us in the judiciary, so this program today is a mandate of the organic law,” Korkpor said. “Today we are here because the time has come for judge Paye to retire; that shows the importance we attach to this program.”

He said Paye’s retirement was worth commending because he has served the judicial system and the Liberian people for more than 20 years. He noted that Paye joined the judiciary during the difficult years of war and he has struggled to serve the Liberian people through all the crises that followed. Korkpor extended his gratitude to Paye and his family for his services rendered to people of Liberia over the years.

“They say you are retired but you are not retired because a lawyer is never without job,” Korkpor added.

The chief justice noted that he would also be administering the retirement ceremony of Justice Philip A. Z. Banks and Judge Musu Jones of Grand Cape Mount as they had reached the age of 70.

The family of Judge Emery Paye attend his retirement ceremony in Sanniquellie. Photo: Franklin Nehyalor

Meanwhile Paye said he was glad to have served the Liberian people for over 20 years. Paye said even though he is retiring, he is not leaving the legal profession.

“When one is retired, it does not mean he is helpless, so I’m very happy by the Supreme Court’s decision,” he said. “This is a day all officials of government expect, and it is my time and so I’m happy.”

Paye said he took assignment as circuit judge in Sanniquellie in 1993 during former president Charles Taylor’s administration during the heat of the war in Liberia.

Featured photo by Franklin Nehyalor