By Alimatu Jalloh
Waterloo, Sierra Leone – July 3, 2025: In a powerful gesture of judicial reform and mercy, High Court Judge Hon. Justice Hannah Bonnie has acquitted and discharged thirty-four (34) out of sixty-one (61) inmates who appeared before the UNDP-supported Prison Court at the Waterloo Correctional Centre.
The move forms part of Chief Justice Komba Kamanda’s accelerated push to enhance access to justice—particularly for inmates facing prolonged adjournments, lacking indictments, or affected by age, mental illness, and vulnerable circumstances. The initiative reflects an evolving commitment within Sierra Leone’s judiciary to ensure fair and timely trials.
Among those freed were three female convicts, including two previously sentenced for larceny. The group had faced charges ranging from wounding and common assault to fraudulent conversion and receiving stolen property. Several inmates openly expressed remorse during the court session, with one stating, “We’ve learnt our lesson and will take a complete turn and become better citizens.”
Another female inmate offered an emotional plea, attributing her theft to desperation born of poverty: “Stealing is not part of my DNA. I was left with no option as my children were starving.”
Responding to the appeals, Justice Bonnie acknowledged the inmates’ circumstances but made it clear that their actions were both legally and morally wrong. She encouraged them to reorient their lives toward productive pursuits that could contribute to national development.
On procedural matters, Justice Bonnie addressed the cases of seventeen inmates who had not yet received indictments. She ordered the relevant authorities to expedite the process to ensure fair access to High Court trials. She also instructed the magistrate courts in Waterloo and York to swiftly try outstanding cases—specifically that of Algasimu Sesay, charged with stealing a phone valued at eight thousand New Leones, and Issa Kargbo, charged with simple larceny.
The Prison Court session ended with heartfelt gratitude expressed by the inmates, who viewed the intervention as a second chance. Many applauded the efforts of Justice Bonnie and the Chief Justice for bringing hope and dignity to those within the correctional system.