Obituary: Acting Chief Justice Valesius Victor Thomas (1950-2026)
Justice Valesius Victor Thomas, former Acting Chief Justice of Sierra Leone departed this life on January 25, 2026, in Freetown. Born on October 24, 1950, in the Moyamba District, Southern Province, to the late Johnny Valentine Thomas and Fanny Laura Abioseh Thomas, Justice Thomas lived a life marked by unwavering dedication to justice, education, and faith. He was 75 years old.
Justice Thomas’s early years were spent in Waterloo, where he grew up in a nurturing Anglican household that instilled in him values of honesty, contentment, hard work, and respect for others. His parents, a retired railwayman and a petty trader, prioritized his education despite modest means. He attended SDA Primary School and Bassa Town Primary School in Waterloo from 1956 to 1963, followed by Peninsula Secondary School until 1968, and completed his Form 6 at Magburaka Boys’ Secondary School in 1971. Excelling in Geography, Economics, and Bible Knowledge, he earned recognition as a national scholar after his G.C.E. “A” Level examinations.
Driven by ambition and supported by scholarships, Justice Thomas pursued higher education abroad. He studied at the University of Leeds in England starting in 1971, followed by postgraduate studies in law at University College London. He further honed his expertise at the Council of Legal Education’s School of Law in London, qualifying as a barrister. His passion for Land Law, Jurisprudence, and Company Law shaped a distinguished career in the legal profession.
Upon returning to Sierra Leone in 1976, Justice Thomas began as a State Counsel in the Law Officers’ Department under the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. He later served as a lecturer in law at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone teaching tort and public international law, while maintaining a private practice. His judicial ascent culminated in his appointment to the Supreme Court, where he eventually rose to the position of acting Chief Justice, serving until his retirement in 2016. Throughout his nearly 40-year career, he embodied the principles of fairness and service to his nation..
A man of deep faith, Justice Thomas converted to the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1977, influenced by biblical teachings on the Sabbath. Baptized on September 19, 1977, by the late Pastor Nnaji, he was ordained as an Elder in 1984. He served in various capacities, including as Church Clerk, Deacon, and Elder at churches in Waterloo, Maranatha SDA Church, and Lighthouse Beam SDA Church in Freetown. His contributions extended to school boards, mission executive committees, and even the General Conference Executive Committee from 1990 to 1995. He found joy in harvest thanksgiving, camp meetings, and weeks of prayer, always advocating for lives aligned with biblical truths.
In his personal life, Justice Thomas married Edna Thomas on August 9, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. Their union, rooted in shared faith, was blessed with two sons, Edgar and Victor. He was a devoted grandfather, cherishing time with his grandchildren.
Justice Thomas leaves behind a legacy of professional excellence, and spiritual commitment. He often reflected on the biblical promise in Exodus 15:26, crediting his good health and fulfillment to obedience to God. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.
As a family we appreciate all sympathizers who join us to mourn
our loss and we kindly appeal for privacy moment for the family.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
