Senior Counsel Nelson Havi has shared a reflective account of the launch of Chief Justice Martha Koome’s book Courting Courage, describing the Friday night event as both historic and deeply moving.
The ceremony drew prominent legal minds and dignitaries, including former Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, whose entrance alongside Koome drew a hushed reception from the audience.
Havi observed that the two leaders carried a presence rooted not in power but in experience and earned respect.
He described Sirleaf as a resilient figure shaped by history, recalling Liberia’s turbulent past and the 1980 coup led by Samuel Doe that toppled President William Tolbert.
According to Havi, seeing Sirleaf in person brought historical events he had long studied into sharp focus. He noted her survival during the violent upheavals and praised her resilience, describing her as a leader forged through adversity.
Sirleaf, now in her late eighties, delivered a 45-minute address without notes, identifying key themes and distilling them into lessons that resonated with the audience.
Havi said her clarity of thought, memory, and delivery defied expectations and held the room’s attention throughout.
He also recounted brief exchanges with fellow Senior Counsel Ahmednasir Abdullahi and Charles Kanjama, who expressed admiration for Sirleaf’s intellectual sharpness and enduring influence.
Beyond the keynote address, Havi commended Koome for convening distinguished figures and for documenting her journey in Courting Courage, noting that personal narratives help the public understand the character and convictions of national leaders.
The event brought together members of the judiciary, legal fraternity, and invited guests in an evening that blended reflection, leadership lessons, and celebration of public service.