By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, September 17, 2025 — The Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone has issued a forceful appeal to the Office of the President, urging the immediate reversal of the suspension of Hon. Justice A. B. Halloway JSC and calling for a formal investigation into grievances raised by the Supreme Court judge.
Justice Halloway was suspended by presidential directive pending disciplinary proceedings. However, the Lawyers’ Society expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency surrounding the decision, noting that no official reason has been provided. The Society argues that the suspension violates constitutional safeguards and undermines judicial independence.
Background to the Controversy
Justice Halloway’s suspension followed two letters he submitted—dated 11th August and 11th September 2025—detailing serious allegations against the judiciary. In the letters, he accused the Hon. Chief Justice of withholding his statutory allowances and employment benefits, removing him from judicial panels, and excluding him from hearings at both the Appellate and Supreme Courts.
He claimed these actions not only breached Section 138(3) of the 1991 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, but also adversely affected his health and that of his elderly mother. The judge’s complaints, according to legal observers, point to a broader concern about internal marginalization and lack of procedural fairness within the judiciary.
Unanswered Appeals for Clarification
In response to Justice Halloway’s claims, the Lawyers’ Society sent two letters to the Hon. Chief Justice—on 22nd August and 5th September—requesting clarification and a formal response. As of press time, the Society reports that no acknowledgment has been received.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns
The Lawyers’ Society outlined three major objections to the suspension:
Lack of Due Process: The Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) should have formally reviewed Justice Halloway’s complaint before any disciplinary action was taken.
Constitutional Violation: The suspension contravenes Sections 137(5) and 137(6) of the 1991 Constitution, which mandate the establishment of a tribunal before a judge can be suspended.
Threat to Judicial Integrity: The move risks silencing legitimate grievances, undermining judicial cohesion, and eroding public trust in the justice system.
The Society is calling for the matter to be remitted to the JLSC in collaboration with the Judicial Ethics Committee to ensure a fair and transparent resolution.
Call for Institutional Reform
In its statement, the Lawyers’ Society emphasized the need for a respectful and supportive judicial environment, free from intimidation and marginalization. It reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional integrity, due process, and meaningful reform aimed at restoring public confidence in Sierra Leone’s justice system.
Justice Halloway’s suspension, which followed his complaint about being deprived of entitlements as a Supreme Court judge, has sparked widespread debate about the balance of power within the judiciary and the mechanisms available for redress.