Supreme Court Justice Takes Oath
By Yusuf Alghali

23rd March 2004 - Erstwhile Appeal Court Justice Maitland Tholla Thomson, who recently relinquished his chairmanship of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) executive, has been formally sworn in as Justice of the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone at a brief ceremony held at the Hill Station Presidential Lodge Tuesday 23rd March 2004.

Congratulating Justice Thomson shortly after his subscribing to the oath of office, President Kabbah indicated that the elevation was clearly an appreciation of the exemplary performance put up by the learned legal luminary, first as a Judge of the High Court and subsequently as a Justice of the Sierra Leone Court of Appeal.

He said Justice Thomson had had the opportunity to demonstrate that he could execute his duties effectively and professionally, making reference to the football legacy the former SLFA chief executive was leaving behind as he takes up his new appointment.

President Kabbah, who on Monday 22nd March 2004 honoured Justice Thomson's invitation to inspect the National Football Academy complex established during the latter's tenure, observed that the academy would remain to be an eloquent testimony to the accomplishments of his administration.

In his response, the newly promoted Justice, who was accompanied by Chief Justice Abdulai Timbo and members of the Tholla Thomson family, intimated that he had set his mind on traversing the highest pinnacle of the judiciary ever since he joined the judicial service some thirty-five years ago. He said he was thankful to God that he had been sworn in as Justice of the highest court of the land and also assured the Head of State that he would faithfully discharge the duties of the office of Justice of the Supreme Court.

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