Alpha Amadu Jalloh: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 16 September 2024:
It is encouraging to learn that President Julius Maada Bio and his Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government are considering reforming the justice system in Sierra Leone. A robust and fair justice system is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy, and this potential reform is long overdue.
Sierra Leone’s justice system reforms should have been implemented years ago. Former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah had the foresight to recognize this need, and he initiated steps to review the 1991 Constitution. However, his efforts were derailed by his successor, President Ernest Bai Koroma, who not only ignored Kabbah’s initiative but also used the law to his personal advantage.
The most glaring example of Koroma’s manipulation of the justice system was his decision to remove Vice President Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana from office under dubious legal circumstances. Koroma’s actions set a dangerous precedent, and instead of moving toward a justice system that serves all Sierra Leoneans, it became a tool for those in power.
Unfortunately, the current administration under President Bio appears to be following a similar path. Despite the promise of reform, there are concerning signs that the justice system continues to be exploited for political gain. Take, for example, the case of Auditor General Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce and her deputy. For merely doing their job exposing financial mismanagement and corruption, they were antagonized, suspended, and sidelined by the government. Not a single lawyer or judge stood up in defence of their rights.
This example exposes the continued fragility of Sierra Leone’s legal system, where those who dare to challenge the government are quickly silenced.
Similarly, the flawed elections for the leadership of the Sierra Leone Bar Association in Kenema revealed significant infractions, yet the legal community remained silent. One would expect the Anti-Corruption Commission boss to be front and center in addressing these issues, but the situation was quietly swept under the rug.
When the courts and legal professionals fail to uphold the rule of law, it creates an environment where injustice flourishes.
This trend of political interference is not isolated. The recent presidential elections were steeped in controversy, yet the All People’s Congress (APC) did not take their grievances to court. Why? Because faith in the courts is virtually non-existent.
Women across the country continue to be victims of sexual violence, and those with connections to the powerful manage to evade justice calling it “BUFF CASE” a term that reflects the culture of impunity for the privileged few.
The law, in practice, serves those in power, while the ordinary Sierra Leonean remains trapped under its weight.
The , it needs a complete overhaul. The laws inherited from British colonial rule were designed to suppress the people and consolidate power. These outdated laws, which were meant to benefit the colonial rulers, have been preserved by successive post-independence governments for their own political gain. While the Public Order Act, which stifled free speech, was recently removed, it has essentially been replaced by the Cyber Crimes Act, another tool to silence dissent and control the narrative.
President Bio and his government are now laying the groundwork for future manipulation of the system, particularly through initiatives like the 2025 national population and household census.
It is crucial for Sierra Leoneans to remain vigilant. History has shown that when politicians talk about reforms, it is often a prelude to tightening their grip on power.
Rather than focusing solely on justice reforms, the government must prioritize addressing the daily struggles of Sierra Leoneans. Poverty, unemployment, and a failing economy are pressing issues that affect the lives of ordinary people far more than legal reforms.
While reforming the justice system is necessary, it should not be used as a distraction from the real problems plaguing the nation.
If President Bio is truly committed to justice reform, he must begin by addressing the 1991 Constitution and bringing it up to date with the realities of modern Sierra Leone. A referendum on the reviewed constitution should be conducted as soon as possible.
If the constitution review process is still incomplete, it must be accelerated so that Sierra Leoneans can have a legal framework that reflects their needs and aspirations. A constitution that promotes transparency, accountability, and equal justice for all is crucial for building a just society.
Moreover, if the Chief Minister is genuinely concerned about the plight of prisoners, particularly those incarcerated for petty crimes like debt, he should push for legislation to decriminalize such offenses. Jailing someone for a minor infraction while government officials commit far graver crimes with impunity is a gross miscarriage of justice.
Parliament should be the platform for addressing these issues, not grandstanding visits to correctional centres.
As Sierra Leoneans, we must remain watchful and engaged in these so-called justice reforms. It is not enough for the government to simply announce reform initiatives; they must be held accountable for the outcomes. The legal profession, civil society, and ordinary citizens must all play a role in shaping a justice system that serves everyone, not just the elite.
The path to a truly reformed justice system will not be easy, but it is essential for the future of Sierra Leone. Only when laws are applied equally and fairly to all citizens can we begin to heal the divisions in our society and move toward a brighter, more just future.
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