By Alimatu Jalloh
December 17, 2025: The High Court of Sierra Leone has ordered Kasho Joseph Holland-Cole, Chairman of the Western Area District Council (Ward C), to publicly retract remarks he made against the Judiciary within three days.
Delivering the ruling on Monday, December 15, Hon. Justice A.K. Musa directed Holland-Cole to convene a press conference and issue a formal statement withdrawing his comments. The retraction must also be published in two local newspapers for three consecutive editions. The court further ordered that video recordings of the press conference and copies of the newspaper publications be submitted on a disk drive to the court.
The ruling stems from contempt proceedings brought against Holland-Cole after he allegedly scandalized the court in a press conference following an interlocutory injunction granted on November 18, 2025. The injunction restrained him and others from interfering with the management and operations of the No. 2 River Beach (Sankofa Complex), which is under dispute between the River Development Association and the respondents.
Justice Musa warned Holland-Cole to desist from making statements that undermine the integrity of the Judiciary, reminding him of his responsibility as an elder statesman. He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s judicial system, like others globally, provides appellate structures for aggrieved parties to seek redress rather than resorting to public attacks.
The judge cautioned that failure to comply with the order could result in imprisonment if evidence shows Holland-Cole’s actions contravene the court’s directives.