AYV News, January 8, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda has assured the management and staff of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone that he comes to the helm of affairs with a clean heart to lead everyone fairly and to transform the Judiciary to an enviable state.
Addressing the general membership for the first time since his appointment last December, the Chief Justice said “My aim is to facelift the Judiciary by ensuring that litigants have justice without fear or favour and that matters are expeditiously dealt with before all the various Court structures. This can only be achieved through the spirit of collective commitment,” the Chief Justice said adding that he’s committed to change the public’s perception in the institution’s favour.
He assured staff members that promotion and other facilities will be accorded only to those who show high level of commitment to work by ensuring they are punctual, handle files with utmost care, support their respective Judges and Magistrates to achieve effective justice delivery.
“I will ensure that all those who are committed to their job are appropriately rewarded for doing so through promotion and other professional facilities. Equally so, there will be no room for those who are collecting salaries and refusing to do their work,” the Chief Justice cautioned. He beseeched all those that are handling the approval of bail nationwide to ensure that accused persons who fulfil their bail conditions are released accordingly without further delay.
Senior Judge of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Jamesina King said all Judges, Magistrates and support staff should be committed to the vision of the Hon. Chief Justice which she said is comprehensively tied to the core values of the institution including independence, integrity, impartiality and accountability among others.
Hon. Justice Tonia Barnett (JA), said punctuality and commitment to job are the driving force to the core values of the Judiciary and advised all to stick to best practice.
The Master and Registrar of the High Court of Sierra Leone cautioned Court Registrars to refrain from giving access to court files/Judges notes to lawyers and litigants who have not gone through the appropriate procedure. She added that searching of files should be paid for, as it is one of the ways through which the institution generates revenue for the country.
Staff members described the meeting as restoration of hope and motivation for which they pledged their commitment to work effectively and to ensure that the Hon. Chief Justice succeeds.
The meeting was preceded by another engagement with all Magistrates across the country where the Chief Justice directed that all Magistrates Courts nationwide should commence sittings at 9:00AM and that Registrars should be in Court at 8:30AM. He emphasized that all judicial officers should treat litigants with dignity and respect and not to build any acquaintance that hinders public trust.
