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The Campaign for Human Rights and Democratic Integrity (CHRDI) has cautioned that a recent Practice Direction issued by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone on 1 December 2025 risks undermining constitutional guarantees, statutory provisions, and judicial independence.
In a statement, CHRDI emphasized that the judiciary is a cornerstone of democracy, tasked with upholding the law, protecting individual rights, and providing checks on executive power.
The organization said that the new directive, which targets drug-related offences, conflicts with the 1991 Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024 (CPA), and the National Drugs Control Act (NDCA) of 2008.
The NDCA 2008 grants judges discretion to impose life sentences for certain drug convictions and allows suspended sentences for first-time offenders. Under the new directive, judges would reportedly be unable to exercise these powers, effectively subjecting them to judicial mandates rather than the law itself.
CHRDI also highlighted concerns regarding bail provisions. Section 76 of the CPA 2024 provides for bail, even in cases of murder or treason, requiring the prosecution to file an affidavit when opposing bail. The statement warned that the Practice Direction appears to ignore these statutory rights, undermining judicial discretion and potentially creating legal confusion.
“The judiciary should always promote fairness and justice. Emotional impulses or headline-driven measures must not guide judicial action,” CHRDI stated. The organization added that mandatory long-term sentences could have significant social and economic consequences, citing the potential imprisonment of hundreds of individuals for 30 years.
While welcoming the government’s efforts to combat drug abuse, CHRDI urged that all anti-drug initiatives operate strictly within the framework of existing laws. “Fighting drugs is essential, but it must not come at the expense of justice, the constitution, or judicial independence,” the statement concluded.
