The body of late Canon Justice James Barnabas Kalaile (Chief Justice Rtd.) was on Sunday afternoon laid to rest at HHI Cemetery in the commercial capital Blantyre.

Justice Kalaile died on Thursday after a long illness.

The funeral ceremony attracted a huge crowd led by Chief Justice Andrew Nyirenda and former Chief Justice Richard Banda SC.

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera ordered the funeral ceremony which was led by Diocesan Bishop of Upper Shire – Bishop Brighton Vita Malasa to be accorded a military honour.

“We laid to rest the Late Canon Justice James Barnabas Kalaile (Chief Justice Rtd.) yesterday at HHI Cemetery in the City of Blantyre. The State ordered that he be accorded with Military Honours.

“Thank you the State President – Dr. Lazarus Chakwera for such an honour to one of the sons of the soil in appreciation to his contributions to the development of Malawi, our nation. The Diocesan Bishop of Upper Shire – Bishop Brighton Vita Malasa led the Solemn Requiem Mass while the Diocesan Bishop of Southern Malawi gave a powerful homily on how we use the talents God has bestowed upon us all,” reads in part the statement from the Anglican church.

Kalaile once served as Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson from 1999 to 2004.