Presidential candidates in the Sierra Leone Bar Association elections in Kenema, Augustine S. Marrah and Wara Serry-Kamal have said they do not recognize the Bar Association elections that were held in Kenema over the weekend and further called for a fresh Bar elections to be held soonest.
In a Joint Statement, Augustine and Wara alleged that the events at the Annual General Meeting of the Sierra Leone Bar Association held in Kenema represent a grave assault on the principles of democracy, transparency and integrity that the Association is founded upon.
They said the actions and inactions of the Board of Directors at the AGM, which have led to a declaration of a purported executive that was not duly elected, are not only illegal but also deeply troubling.
The lawyers explained that Solicitors for Julian Cole Esq., Wara Serry-Kamal, and Joy Precious Bayoh filed applications in court aimed at ensuring greater participation of members, adding that these pursuant to voting by proxy, early publication and verification of the voters list, among things courts refused to grant these applications.
In relation to security, they alleged that Wara Serry-Kamal, through two letters addressed to the Inspector General of Police, requested a meeting with the Sierra Leone Police to discuss and address security concerns ahead of the conference but that her requests for a meeting were not granted.
For them, the Kenema AGM was a blatant disregard for the electoral process and the disenfranchisement of members, which they believed are clear violations of the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, the Companies Act 2009 (as amended) and ethical principles of decency and integrity.
They also alleged that it was evident from the outset that the integrity of the voter list was compromised, adding that members who had duly paid their dues found their names omitted from the list, an issue that was raised by some members and yet was not addressed by the directors.
They said the amendment of the agenda prematurely at exactly 12pm, when in fact the time slated for registration and arrival of members was 12 to 1pm, was a calculated move to disenfranchise colleagues who wore traveling from Freetown, whose movement had been strangely blocked by a truck on the Bo-Kenema
Highway.
In conclusion, the lawyers reemphasized that they do not recognize the new executive and that they shall explore all legal means to ensure that an election of directors of the Association consistent with democratic standards is held as soon as possible.
