Chief Justice Returns Home from Conference of Chief Justices in Egypt
Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Main Law Courts Building in Freetown, 28th June 2021:
Electoral Justice and the frequent resort to Judiciaries to settle electoral disputes as presenting a burden/challenge on Constitutional and Supreme Courts requiring the upholding of the highest virtues of independence, integrity, accountability etc.;
Environmental Law and the process towards Greening the Economy with emphasis on Judges being protectors of the Environment which is the wealth of the so-called poor and property of every citizen and the upholding of Environmental Rule of Law with a view to alleviating poverty and with a view to establishing a Green Economy;
Abolition of terrorism with a stringent posture from African Judiciaries.
The Conference ended with a Declaration, referred to the Cairo Declaration, with participants drawn from thirty-five (35) countries from the continent of Africa.
“Applauding African Judiciaries from across the continent who have and are still showing absolute dedication to their Judicial duties despite the real health and social risks posed by COVID-19 Pandemic;
Demanding progress from all in the area of fighting terrorism in all its forms given that it erodes the Democratic foundation of our societies, creates instability, threatens the safety and well-being of our citizens and residents and hinders sustainable development for generations to come, protecting the environment, ensuring Judicial ethics and electoral justice to play out;
Re-emphasing capacity building through continuous Judicial training and continuing professional development to build further capacities for Judges and Court Administrators;
Reiterating a conscious commitment to take all necessary measures to ensure the effective application of the Rule of Law in each country given that it is indispensable for the prevalence of social justice as a necessary pre-condition for all the enjoyment of fundamental rights by all our citizens and an important factor in support sustainable development; and
Calling for increased co-operation among Judiciaries in all these areas and more.”
The Cairo Declaration, also looked at the exceptional challenges confronting the African Judiciary in the COVID-19 era and the priority measures including virtual hearing and proper IT Technology needed to overcome them.
The Conference attracted distinguished personalities including Honourable Dr. Hanafy Aly Gebaly, The Speaker of the Egyptian House of Representatives, former Chief Justice of Egypt who was the founder of such High-Level meetings; Chief Justices and Presidents of Constitutional Courts, their Vice and Judges of Supreme and Constitutional Courts.
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice who was part of the conference repositioned the Sierra Leone Judiciary at the international conference to market the many reforms. He has since resumed work on 24th June, 2021 with full energy to make the country’s justice system accessible amid other sustainable reforms.
Justice Ivan Sesay Presides Over Alleged Kidnapping of Police Officer in Magburuka
Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications, Special High Court Criminal Sessions, Magburuka Town, 28th June, 2021: Six accused persons have appeared before Court of Appeal judge, Honourable Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay (JA), who’s currently presiding over the special criminal session holden at Magburuka Town, in Tonkolili District, North-East Region of the Country.
The accused persons; Emmanuel Gbla, David Gbla, Mohamed Gbla, Alie Kamara, Abdul Bangura and Abdulai Kamara are being tried on ten counts indictment ranging from Conspiracy to commit Riotous Conduct, Riotous Conduct, Kidnapping, Wounding with Intent, Throwing Missiles and Resisting Police Arrest among others.
According to the particulars of offence, the six accused persons on the 17th day of March, 2020 at Tonkolili District in the North-East Region of the country conspired together with other persons unknown to commit Riotous Conduct, Kidnapped Detective Sergeant 7846 Nathaniel Lamin, Maliciously Damaged three side glasses of Police Vehicle with registration number SLP 246 among others.
Shortly after their arraignment before the Court, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all ten counts brought up against them by the State.
Honourable Justice Ivan Sesay granted the Trial by Judge alone application made by the State Prosecutor, Joseph A K Sesay.
In his evidence in Chief, Prosecution witness, Police Constable 18864 Francis Junior Sesay formally attached to the Magburuka Police Station but now at the OSD Headquarters in Freetown, recognized all accused persons.
He recalled that he was on duty with other Police Officers on the 17th March 2020 when the Operations Officer, one Inspector Jalloh asked them to go to a certain village called Mamano to resolve the misunderstanding among community stakeholders and some youths.
He said during the execution of their lawful duties, certain people in the village including the accused descended on them in a riotous manner, beat up and wounded Police Officers and damaged the glasses of the police vehicle.
Under cross examination by defence Lawyer Mohamed Korie from Legal Aid Board, the witness confirmed that he was wounded by the accused persons during the riot.
Four other prosecution witnesses including Police Constable, 12793 Mohamed Manzo Kabia testified and the matter was adjourned to tomorrow, Tuesday, 29th June, 2019.
The High Court Criminal Sessions are being funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone with funds from the Government of Sierra Leone. The Sessions are held in places where there are no sitting Judges and to further take Justice to every citizen across the country.
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