Meanwhile, the Sierra Leone Judiciary has already distributed leaflets, bills, posters and brochures to traditional leaders. In the documents, there are seven important clear points on Bail Regulations as indicated below:

1. Accused persons are not required to pay money in order to secure bail;

2. Apart from the serious offences like Rape, Murder, Robbery with Aggravations and Treason, all accused persons shall be entitled to bail;

3. Any one above 18 years, including women, are qualified to stand as sureties;

4. Bail may be denied for indictable offences. However if the prosecution is objecting to bail, the reasons must be contained in an affidavit;

5. A Court may only ask an accused to deposit money as guarantee if the matter he/she is accused of involves money. The amount deposited shall not exceed the maximum fine that can be imposed for the offence;

6. Minor offences such as loitering, larceny (stealing), traffic offences (other than those resulting in deaths) and offences under sections 2 to 15, 26, 27 and 32 of the Public Order Act are entitled to bail;

7. People may be admitted to self-bail provided they have any of the following security documents:

a. Passport or other Travel Documents;
b. National Identity Card, Voter Identity Card or National Social Security and Insurance Trust Card;
c. Bank Statement;
d. Proof of Residence, Light and Water Rate Bills etc
e. Title Deeds; or
f. A Testimonial from a Chief, a Tribal Authority, a Community Leader or somebody who is vested with Authority in the Community.

If for any reason, bail is refused, the affected persons must report to the leadership of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone on these contact numbers – +23278244739 or +23279526341.

Sierra Leoneans are appreciative and grateful to the new Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards and the Judiciary as a whole for cooperating with the United Nations Development Programme UNDP to finance and facilitate this vital education drive especially for the poverty-stricken population.