By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone— In a move aimed at fortifying the country’s judicial system, Members of Parliament unanimously approved seven new High Court Judges and cleared three for promotion to the Court of Appeal on May 23, 2025. The approvals followed their earlier appointment by President Brig. Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio on April 30, 2025, upon the advice of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission.
High Court Appointments and Judicial Promotions
Among the seven newly appointed High Court Judges, five have extensive experience as Magistrates:
- Marke Ngegba
- Isata S. Sellu-Tucker
- Josephine F. Hinga
- Santigie Ibrahim S. Bangura
- Sahr Elogima Kekura
Additionally, Khalla Diana Kamara and Andrew Samuel Curtis Johnson transitioned from corporate roles to the judiciary.
For the Court of Appeal, Parliament approved the promotions of:
- Hon. Justice Alfred Tommy Ganda
- Dr. Justice Abou Bhakarr Binneh-Kamara
- Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu
These three judges have over fifteen years of experience, maintaining unblemished track records in the administration of justice.
Parliament’s Endorsement and Judicial Integrity
During the confirmation process, Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma, Leader of Government Business, assured Parliament that the nominees had been rigorously vetted on experience, tax obligations, and contributions to national development. He emphasized that their appointments were based on merit rather than political favor, aligning with constitutional provisions.
Opposition lawmaker Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara endorsed the nominations, highlighting their academic and professional qualifications while urging them to dispense justice fairly and inclusively, regardless of socioeconomic status.
Calls for Judicial Reforms
Acting Leader of the All Peoples Congress (APC), Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, underscored the judiciary’s lack of financial independence, arguing that proper funding would ensure fairer legal processes and enhance its public image. He lamented the logistical challenges faced by judges, noting that some rely on personal vehicles or motorcycles for transportation.
He also urged the Hon. Chief Justice Komba Kamanda to leverage the new appointees in addressing case backlogs and easing overcrowding in correctional centers. He praised Kamanda’s commitment to gender equity, citing the 30% quota for female judges in the latest appointments.
Parliament’s Support for Judicial Infrastructure
Speaker Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas defended the judiciary against blame for case delays, attributing it to the lack of stenographers and legal researchers, whose absence slows court proceedings. He vowed parliamentary support for hiring additional court personnel and advocated for the construction of more correctional facilities to curb overcrowding.
With these judicial appointments and reform discussions, Sierra Leone’s justice sector is poised for enhanced efficiency, ensuring fair and timely legal proceedings for all citizens.