Astute Associate Justice retires, urges Bar Association to speak on national issues
The Judiciary Branch of Government has held an elaborate retirement program in honor of one of its very astute Associate Justices, Professor Philip A. Z. Banks, III, in the Chamber of the Supreme Court of Liberia.
The August 7, 2018 ceremony was in recognition of the priceless services rendered to Liberia, this time, through the Judiciary, by Professor Banks-a man with a vast experience of the law and who taught some of his colleagues currently on the bench.
Associate justice Banks’ departure from the Bench is in accordance with Article 72 (b) of the Constitution of Liberia, which mandates that the Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court and judges of subordinate courts of record shall be retired at the age of seventy.
The ceremony, graced by senior government officials, lawyers, diplomats, law students and some members of the public, coincided with the closing of 2018 March Term of the Supreme Court and trailed the admission of forty two lawyers into the Bar of the High Court after successfully completing the rigorous prerequisites for admittance.
Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County, Senator Joseph N. Nagbe of Sinoe County and Education Minister, Dr. D. Ansu Sonie were among the several government officials and diplomats present at the program.
Associate Justice Banks-a 1974 graduate of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law (Magnum Cum Laude) attained the retirement age of 70 in June 2018, but, was required by law to stay on until cases before him were completed.
In separate remarks and tributes, the Justices of the Supreme Court were full of praises for their departing colleague, describing him as being a stabilizer, who usually played the role of an elder, providing wisdom and direction for the bench when it came to making critical decisions.
Associate Justice Sie-A-Nyene Yuoh, in her tribute, said Justice Banks taught her, was her boss at the Governance Commission, and impacted her life in every sphere; she prayed God’s blessings upon him as he goes into retirement.
Associate Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, also recounted Justice Bank’s vast legal experience gained from his participation in the codification of Liberian laws. She praised his eloquence and excellent writing skills and described him as a man of intellect and experience.
For Associate Justice Kabineh M. Ja’neh, Justice Banks represents “erudite legal scholarship”.
“Justice Banks, you are one of the finest Liberian Jurists of our time” said Chief Justice Francis S. Korkpor, Sr.
Responding to the many praises heaped upon him for the brilliance and wealth of experience he took to the “Korkpor Bench”, the retiree lauded his colleagues for the level of cooperation and collaboration they exhibited during his time of service.
Justice Banks described his Supreme Court journey as a wonderful experience and that he performed the way he did for the good of Liberia. “Every time I made a decision on this court; and every time that I dissented from the majority on this court; it was only and only because, I had the public in my mind and focus.”
The former Dean of the Law School at the University of Liberia, who taught almost every justice on the current bench, said “I love the intellect and the challenge. That is why I am back at the law school.”
He attributed his success to the Almighty God first, then to his wife and family members, whom he jokingly noted, loaned him to the government of Liberia for service to the Liberian people. Justice Banks expressed gratitude to God for endowing him with the ability to render quality services to Liberia and to his family for their support.
In his retirement speech, Justice Banks called on the Liberia National Bar Association, LNBA, to speak on unfolding national issues, especially the legal ones.
He maintained that if the National Bar Association of Liberia took a position on a national issue, it would be directing the way the court goes and the way the public understands such legal matters.
Before coming to the Judiciary, the retired Associate Justice Banks served in several public positions including Justice Minister, 1990-1994 in the Interim Government of National Unity; Member of the Council of State, Liberia National Transitional Government; Project Consultant, United States Institute of Peace 2004-2005; Legal consultant, Governance Reform Commission of Liberia, 2006-2007; Minister of Justice 2007-2008; and Chairman of the Law Reform Commission; 2008-2010, just to name a few.
