AYV News, April 8, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, His Lordship Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda has officially commissioned Judiciary’s ultramodern library with e-Library resources at the main Law Court Building in Freetown.
Financed by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, the Library according to the Chief Justice is designed to enhance the work of judicial officers, improve their research capabilities, sharpen their craft and keep them in tune with modern trends related to their jobs.
He said immediately after his appointment by His Excellency the President, Rtd. Brigadier Dr Julius Maada Bio as Chief Justice, he made a commitment to transform the Judiciary so as to conform with others in advanced jurisdictions.
“When I was appointed by His Excellency Rtd. Brigadier Dr Julius Maada Bio, I made a commitment to lead this institution by bringing innovations all in the interest of justice. Today, we have a manual and an e- library first in the history of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone,” the Chief Justice said, adding that he intends to replicate it in other provincial headquarter towns should the funds be available.
He maintained that the absence of a library in an institution where research and additional reading are integral to the work of judicial officers for a considerable period of time, posed a serious challenge to their work amid its relevance to the administration of justice.
The library, which is open to judges, lawyers, scholars, students and others researchers is equipped with CCTV Camera system, a giant photocopier to prevent cutting of pages or relevant materials and free internet facility.
Assuring that the library will be used to enhance their different roles in the justice system, the Hon. Chief Justice thanked the government of Sierra Leone, Pro Bono UK, colleague judges and judicial staff for their support in making the project a reality.
Speaking on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Solicitor General, Robert Kowa said the new library with a permanent base could now be seen as the start of a whole new chapter in the legal practice.
Commenting on the relevance the library would serve, Mr. Kowa said the traditional form of library is for everyone and not just for those who can afford the luxuries of the internet, offers low risk strategy to expand choice of reading and an enormously valuable anchor to the legal society.
He disclosed that the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice is working to set up the Law Reporting Council which certify and authenticate law reporting in Sierra Leone and ensure that contributions are made in resource materials for the enhancement of legal libraries.
President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, commended the Hon. Chief Justice and the leadership of the Judiciary for a move she described as “a test of the professional diligence of the community of lawyers” especially at a time when their “profession is screaming the loudest for touch bearers amid the youthful invasion of the legal landscape in the country.”
“It is with a profound sense of purpose and professional solidarity that I, on behalf of the Executive and the entire membership of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), extend our warmest congratulations to the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda and the Judiciary of Sierra Leone on this historic occasion of commissioning the Sierra Leone Judiciary library,” she said.
Referring to the facility as more than a collection of texts, she went on to state that it’s a declaration that the jurisdiction is not willing to rest on the shadows of outdated practice but is striving to ensure that the scales of justice is not only balanced by conviction or acquittals but also in the quality of judgments delivered.
Executive Director of Legal Aid Board, Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, commended the Chief Justice and his administration for the bold step and called for a clear roadmap to the effective operation of the library to enhance sustainability.
Other attendees of the ceremony included Judges of the Superior Court Judicature, State dignitaries, Magistrates, Lawyers and members of staff.
