By Sallieu S, Kanu
Sierra Leone -September 14, 2026: President Julius Maada Bio has referred the controversial Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2026 to the Supreme Court for judicial opinion, citing the need for constitutional clarity and broad national consensus before granting assent.
According to State House, the President received the Bill from Parliament on September 10, 2026, following its passage. Days earlier, on September 4, the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) petitioned the President, raising constitutional concerns about the parliamentary process.
The President noted that the Bill touches on Sierra Leone’s democratic foundations and must inspire public trust. Acting under Section 122(1) of the 1991 Constitution, he directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to facilitate referral of the petition to the Supreme Court.
State House confirmed that if the Court does not issue its opinion within 14 days of the Bill’s presentation, the President will communicate his final decision to Parliament once the judicial opinion is received.
“This unprecedented step reflects the President’s commitment to ensuring that matters of profound national importance are handled with due diligence, transparency and fidelity to our constitution,” the release stated.
The Bill has sparked heated debate in Parliament and beyond. Opposition MPs from the All People’s Congress (APC) staged a walkout recently, insisting that constitutional amendments require a two-thirds majority under Section 108(b). The Speaker, however, ruled that a simple majority sufficed for clause-by-clause votes, arguing that the two-thirds threshold applies only to final passage.
Civil society groups have since questioned the legality of the process, urging judicial interpretation. The referral to the Supreme Court now places the matter squarely before the judiciary, with implications for Sierra Leone’s ongoing constitutional review and democratic reforms.