By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, October 10, 2025: In a major step toward judicial reform, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone has launched a two-day professional development training for 38 magistrates across the country on the newly enacted Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) of 2024.
Held at the Sierra Palm Hotel in Lumley, Freetown, the training is organized by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI) as part of Chief Justice His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda’s broader initiative to enhance judicial efficiency and legal modernization.
Chief Justice Kamanda emphasized the importance of the training in equipping magistrates with the knowledge and tools to effectively apply the new law in courtrooms nationwide. He praised the support of development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), for their role in advancing justice sector reforms.
“From the agenda, the topics are rich, and the facilitators were carefully selected by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute,” the Chief Justice noted.
Supreme Court Judge Honourable Justice Eku Robert commended the Chief Justice’s leadership, describing it as instrumental in promoting the capacity of judicial officers. He also acknowledged the collective support of fellow judges in driving reform.
📜 Key Features of the New Act
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., highlighted that the CPA 2024 introduces several progressive provisions absent in the 1965 legislation. These include:
Alternative Sentencing Options: Community Punishment Orders, Suspended Sentences, and Deferred Sentences for offenses not exceeding two years.
Alignment with International Human Rights Standards: Ensuring fair and transparent judicial processes.
Sesay praised the Chief Justice and JLTI for their commitment to continuous capacity building and legal modernization.
Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi JSC, who coordinated the training, reiterated its goal of enhancing professionalism and legal awareness among magistrates. She thanked UNDP and JSCO for their support in making the training possible.
The session concludes on Saturday, October 11, 2025.