A book of condolence opened Thursday, July 2, 2026, in honor of former Nimba County Superintendent Nelson Korquoi, but the exercise drew a noticeably low turnout from local government officials, raising concerns among residents about the low level of local and national officials’ participation in the processes leading to the preparations for his state funeral.
The condolence book was opened at the Nimba County Administrative Building in Sanniquellie ahead of funeral ceremonies scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
However, only a handful of local officials reportedly signed the register during the opening hours, prompting criticism from some residents who questioned whether sufficient efforts were being made to accord the former superintendent a dignified farewell.
“The superintendent’s funeral proceedings are poorly planned, and we are not seeing any momentum or sign that he will be given a befitting burial like a statesman,” one resident of Ganta, identified only as Karnay, told local observers.
Korquoi died on June 9, 2026, following a brief illness. He was 51.
Initial funeral arrangements had scheduled his burial for June 27, but the ceremony was postponed after officials and executives of the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) reportedly intervened, arguing that additional time was needed to organize what they described as a befitting burial for the former county administrator. The funeral was subsequently rescheduled for July 3.
During the recent commencement convocation of Nimba University, current Nimba County Superintendent Kou Gono paid tribute to his predecessor by asking attendees to observe a minute of silence in his memory.
Questions have also surrounded the circumstances of Korquoi’s death. Early reports indicated that he died at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Monrovia after being transferred from Nimba for medical treatment.
However, conflicting and unverified reports later circulated regarding the location of his death. Authorities have not publicly clarified the matter.
Korquoi reportedly became ill before the release of a General Auditing Commission (GAC) report that linked him, former Superintendent Dorr Cooper and other officials to the alleged misapplication of more than US$4 million in Nimba County Development Funds.
Although he had repeatedly appeared before GAC investigators during the audit process and consistently challenged the allegations, he died before responding publicly to the final audit findings.
Despite the controversy surrounding the audit, Korquoi remained a prominent political figure within the opposition Coalition for Democratic Change until his death. Political associates say he refused to leave the party even after many local CDC leaders defected to the ruling Unity Party following the 2023 elections.
Korquoi joined the CDC in 2005 as an ordinary member and steadily rose through the party’s ranks to become County Chairman. Under his leadership, the party secured victory in Nimba County during the 2017 elections.
Following former President George Manneh Weah’s inauguration, Korquoi was appointed Commerce Inspector for Nimba County, serving from 2018 until 2020.
In 2020, he was appointed Superintendent of Nimba County after then-Superintendent Dorr Cooper resigned to contest the Special Senatorial Election.
As superintendent, Korquoi supervised several key government infrastructure initiatives in the county, including the groundbreaking of the Sanniquellie–Loguatuo Road, the Ganta–Saclepea Highway and the Saclepea–Tappita Road.
He was also widely recognized for supporting sports development in Nimba. According to Liberia Football Association President Mustapha Raji, Korquoi played a significant role in the modernization of the Ganta Sports Pitch, which was officially inaugurated last year.
Before entering government service, Korquoi was known in Ganta as a small businessman and an enthusiastic football supporter who frequently provided local football commentary.
As news of his passing spread, tributes from friends, political associates and residents have continued to pour in across social media, with many remembering his contributions to the county’s development and his loyalty to the CDC.
According to the official funeral program, Korquoi’s remains will be removed from Gompa Funeral Home on Friday morning and transported to Sanniquellie, where they will lie in state at the County Administrative Building before being taken back to Ganta for a night of wake-keeping.
Final funeral services and interment are scheduled for Saturday in Ganta City.
Born on March 7, 1975, Nelson Korquoi is survived by his wife, several children, relatives and friends.
