By Alimatu Jalloh
Freetown, Sierra Leone — President Julius Maada Bio has officially appointed Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi as a Supreme Court Judge, marking a significant advancement in her distinguished legal career. The appointment follows her recommendation by the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) and underscores her extensive experience in both national and international legal systems.
Justice Alhadi has served in various capacities within Sierra Leone’s judiciary, rising through the ranks from High Court Judge to Court of Appeal Judge, and now the Supreme Court. Her career is widely recognized for its unwavering commitment to integrity and justice.
A Trailblazing Career in Law
Justice Alhadi brings over two decades of legal expertise, having been called to the English Bar 24 years ago at the Middle Temple Inn and later to the Sierra Leone Bar 22 years ago. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in Education and Sociology from Roehampton Institute, University of Surrey, as well as a Post-Graduate Diploma in Law from Middlesex University and a Master of Laws in International Finance and Banking Law from the University of Liverpool.
Her extensive career spans both private practice and public service, having worked for the Parole Board of England and Wales, the Criminal Policy Group of the UK Home Office, and served as a prosecutor for the State at the Law Officers’ Department in Sierra Leone. Additionally, she played a key role in the Special Court for Sierra Leone as an Independent Prosecutor and Investigator on contempt offences between 2004 and 2006.
Justice Alhadi also made significant contributions to the financial sector, working as the Legal, Corporate Affairs, and Human Resources Group Head at Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Limited, later serving as its Company Secretary. She briefly headed the Legal Affairs Department of the Financial Intelligence Unit in 2014 before returning full-time to judicial service.
Judicial Leadership and Advocacy
Since her High Court appointment in 2015, Justice Alhadi has presided over cases in Commercial, Criminal, Civil, and Anti-Corruption Divisions. She was promoted to the Court of Appeal in 2020, where she served on several key committees, including the Rules of Court Committee, Judicial and Legal Training Institute, and the Integrity Management Committee.
Beyond her judicial duties, she has been deeply involved in legal education, lecturing Professional Ethics, Commercial Law, and Practice at the Sierra Leone Law School. She is a former Vice-President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, a strong advocate for women’s rights, and a founding member of L.A.W.Y.E.R.S. (Legal Access Through Women Yearning for Equality, Rights, and Social Justice), where she provided pro bono legal services for women and girls.
National and International Recognition
Justice Alhadi is a Member of the Commonwealth Association of Magistrates and Judges and has held a commissioner role in the Corporate Affairs Commission. She has received notable honors and awards, including:
- Honorary Fellow of the International Professional Managers Association of England (2021), recognizing her dedication to judicial excellence.
- Award from the Women’s Forum of Sierra Leone (2021) for her contributions to social justice and the empowerment of women and girls.
- Elected to the Bench of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple Inn (2022), becoming the first African and Sierra Leonean to attain this prestigious position.
A Landmark Appointment
Justice Alhadi’s appointment to the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone marks a historic milestone in the country’s judiciary, reinforcing President Bio’s commitment to judicial excellence. Her extensive experience and dedication to justice are expected to bring critical legal expertise to the nation’s highest court.
Chief Justice Kamanda Tightens Oversight on Court Executions
Freetown, Sierra Leone — In a bid to enhance accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone’s judicial system, Chief Justice Komba Kamanda has issued a directive requiring Supervising Judges to approve all court-ordered executions before they are carried out by the Undersheriff’s Office.
This landmark decision, communicated through an official memorandum from Deputy Master and Registrar, Mrs. Huliamatu F. Christian-Moses, aims to strengthen oversight, prevent irregularities in execution fees, and eliminate delays that have long plagued court procedures.
New Measures for Judicial Oversight
Effective immediately, the Undersheriff’s Office is prohibited from carrying out any execution orders without the express written approval of the Supervising Judges, evidenced by their signatures. Additionally:
- The sale of property under court orders now requires Supervising Judges’ approval.
- Litigants making payments related to execution orders must receive a National Revenue Authority (NRA) receipt.
- Any further payments required in execution processes must be properly documented with receipts.
- Failures or delays in execution should be promptly reported to Supervising Judges.
Implications for Judicial Accountability
Chief Justice Kamanda emphasized that these reforms are expected to boost public confidence in court procedures while ensuring judicial processes are free from exploitation.
“This will help raise much-needed government funds while eliminating unreasonable execution fees,” he stated, adding that past inconsistencies in execution procedures will no longer be tolerated.
Judicial observers believe the new directive could reshape enforcement mechanisms, ensuring court-ordered executions are handled with greater efficiency and integrity across Sierra Leone.
For more details, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications Office can be reached via +23276617548, +23278244739, or +23279101086. Updates are also available at www.judiciary.gov.sl and on official social media platforms.