Chief Justice Speaks Truth to Power

Sierra Leone’s Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Nicolas C. Browne-Marke has urged the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Madam Tuma Adama Jabbi and her executive to reach out to all factions in the wake of contentions with the outcome of Bar Annual General Meeting held in Kenema.

The Chief Justice made this statement during a courtesy call by the Executive on the Judiciary which he described as the normal tradition for a newly elected executive of the Bar to pay courtesy to any seating Chief Justice. He said same was done when he was Secretary General of the Bar Association and the executive then visited the Chief Justice, adding that he is happy that it continues up to this time.

The Hon. Acting Chief Justice stressed that one of the key activities of the association then, was to fearlessly project the principles of the rule of law by calling on government to do the rightful or needful.

In her opening statement, the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association said the essence of meeting the Hon. Acting Chief Justice is to first introduce her executive to him and to express their willingness to work with the Judiciary.

She said “the Judiciary and the Bar Association have common aims and key among these is projecting the principles of the rule of law for national development,” adding that they are determined to work in other to ensure that the Bar Association becomes one of the most strategic associations in the country and the sub-region. She used the occasion to request that the Hon. Chief Justice permits them to use on of the courtrooms for one of the association’s meetings that will be held shortly.

Commenting on the possibility of making the space available, the Hon. Chief Justice briefly alluded to the statement made by one of the executive members that the aggrieved party may likely come to court and said, “it is on this ground that I decided not to invite the other judges to come for this meeting. I decided to meet with you because I know I will not seat on any matter that will come to Court concerning the Sierra Leone Bar Association.”

“Based on the General and Legal Council election that was held at Court No.1 and other related events, I will not allow any meeting to be held be in the Court premises,” the Chief Justice stated.

Besides the aspect of coming to court, the Chief Justice noted that he would not like disagreement among members of the Bar to be resolved by armed policemen, citing instances where activities of the Bar resulted in violence which he said is not good for the profession.

Vice President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Sidikie Tommy accepted the spirit of reaching out to all members of the Association by requesting the Hon. Chief Justice to mediate the process.

In his response to the request to serve as mediator, the Hon. Chief Justice said that he will mediate if he is asked to do so but not in his capacity as Acting Chief Justice but in an informal capacity.

General Secretary of the Association, Alfred Paul Jawah described the statement of the Ag. Hon. Chief Justice as highly educative and he would have loved for his experience on the activities of the Bar to have been reduced in writing.