Esq. Plaque
Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has joined family members, members of the legal profession and friends at the Saint George’s Cathedral Church in Freetown to commemorate the Tenth Anniversary of the death of the late Leon Blyden Jenkins Johnston Esq., a distinguished legal practitioner and advocate for the rule of law and judicial independence.
The presence of the Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda at the commemorative service was also viewed as a reflection of his longstanding Christian values and his commitment to supporting bereaved families within the judiciary, the legal profession and the wider court community.
The memorial service, which also featured the unveiling of a memorial plaque in honour of the late lawyer, was attended by members of the Johnston family and representatives of the legal profession, who gathered to celebrate his life, professional contributions and enduring legacy.
In a tribute to the late Jenkins Johnston, the President of the Court of Appeal, Reginald Sydney Fynn JA, described him as a passionate servant of the legal profession.
“Jenkins Johnston loved the Legal Profession and served it with a fierce passion,” Justice Fynn said.
He noted that Jenkins Johnston had made significant contributions to Sierra Leonean jurisprudence, particularly through his involvement in public interest litigation.
“Jenkins contributed significantly to improving the Sierra Leone jurisprudence by taking the lead in many public interest cases touching the constitution; freedom of speech, rule of law and judicial Independence,” he said.
He recalled the late lawyer’s strong advocacy for judicial independence, saying Jenkins Johnston consistently championed better working conditions for judges and other judicial officers.
Beyond his practice at the Bar, Jenkins Johnston also made notable contributions to legal education. As a tutor at the Sierra Leone Law School, he taught Ethics as well as Equity and Trust, contributing to the professional development of aspiring lawyers.
The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of a commemorative plaque in honour of the late Jenkins Johnston. The unveiling was performed by his son, Leon Jenkins Johnston, the former Ombudsman, who also delivered an emotional vote of thanks on behalf of the bereaved family.
The tenth-anniversary commemoration provided an opportunity for the legal fraternity to remember Jenkins Johnston not only as a member of the profession, but as a lawyer whose passion for justice, constitutionalism, judicial independence and legal education left a lasting mark on Sierra Leone’s legal landscape.
