By Alimatu Jalloh
The judiciary and legal community of Sierra Leone are bereaved following the passing of Hon. Justice Dr. Abu Bakarr Binneh Kamara, Judge of the Court of Appeal and Dean of the Faculty of Law at Fourah Bay College. He died on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Choithram Memorial Hospital in Freetown after a brief illness.
Dr. Kamara was widely regarded as a towering figure in the country’s legal and academic circles. His career spanned several decades and included roles as magistrate, High Court judge (appointed in November 2023), and Judge of the Court of Appeal (April–May 2025). He also served as the inaugural Dean of the Faculty of Law at Fourah Bay College under the 2021 Universities Act. He was also a lecturer at the faculty of law, IMATT College in Freetown
Justice Kamara held an impressive array of academic qualifications:
– LL.B (Hons) – University of Sierra Leone
– BL – Sierra Leone Law School
– MPA – Njala University
– M.Phil. – Fourah Bay College
– Ph.D. – University of Bedfordshire (Media & War Crimes Jurisprudence)
– Ph.D. candidate – University of Sussex, UK
He was instrumental in reshaping legal education in Sierra Leone:
– Designed the LL.M. program in Human Rights and Criminal Justice at FBC (launched July 2024)
– Contributed to curriculum reforms at Njala University
– Delivered keynote presentations at ECOWAS legal conferences (2023–2024)
– Advocated for legal ethics and academic policy reform across Africa
As Deputy Prosecutor and later Head of the Prosecutor’s Office at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, he oversaw war crimes trials against RUF rebel leaders. He was known for promoting collaboration between the judiciary, media, and civil society.
Justice Kamara was praised as a “paragon of academic excellence, wisdom, distinction, and integrity.” His bold and principled judgments earned him the nickname “the lion’s thunderous voice” on the bench.
His passing marks a significant loss to Sierra Leone’s judicial and academic institutions. Tributes continue to pour in from colleagues, students, and dignitaries who remember his legacy as a teacher, legal luminary, and reformer.
May his soul rest in perfect peace, and may his contributions continue to inspire generations to come.