A court-ordered DNA test has been carried out in a high-profile paternity case involving an Appeals Court Judge and his alleged partner, following a directive from the High Court of Sierra Leone to determine the biological father of a six-month-old child.

The test, conducted on Thursday, October 9, at two accredited facilities – Ramsy Medical Labs and Ecomed Medical Center – formed part of proceedings in Miscellaneous Application No. 233/25 (2025 S. No. 17).

The court’s order, issued on October 6, seeks to establish paternity and secure the child’s legal rights to identity and support in line with the Child Rights Act, 2007.

According to reports, the exercise was completed voluntarily by all parties under strict supervision. The process began at 10:45 a.m. at Ramsy Medical Labs in Freetown, where the mother appeared with the child for the non-invasive buccal (cheek) swab procedure. The collection, which lasted approximately 45 minutes, included verification of identities and the signing of consent forms by all involved.

Related News

Samples were then sealed in tamper-evident containers, witnessed by legal representatives and family members of the parties. They were subsequently handed over to DHL for secure transport, following established chain-of-custody protocols to maintain integrity and prevent tampering.

A similar process was conducted later at Ecomed Medical Center, with the same level of scrutiny and ethical compliance. Oversight was provided by the Master and Registrar of the High Court, with additional monitoring from representatives of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Human Rights Commission, the Sierra Leone Association of Women Lawyers (L.A.W.Y.E.R.S.), and the Institute of Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ).

Legal counsel for both parties and selected family members were present throughout the procedure to ensure transparency and adherence to due process.

Officials confirmed that the testing was non-invasive and posed no risk to the child’s health or comfort. The mother’s presence throughout the procedure provided reassurance, and medical professionals adhered to all child protection protocols.

The DNA samples are now undergoing laboratory analysis to determine whether the plaintiff is the child’s biological father. Results are expected to be released within two to three weeks, and the findings will be officially presented to the High Court on November 27, 2025.

The case continues to attract public interest due to the senior judicial position of the plaintiff and the court’s emphasis on ensuring fairness, privacy, and procedural transparency throughout the process.