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Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio has directed the establishment of an independent investigation committee to examine allegations of wrongdoing and impropriety at the Sierra Leone Law School, according to an official statement issued by State House.
The announcement, released by the Office of the Press Secretary, said the President took the decision following a meeting held on March 31, 2026, with the Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, who also chairs the Council of Legal Education, alongside the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
The statement said the engagement focused on “a series of allegations of wrongdoing and impropriety at the Sierra Leone Law School that have been circulating within the public domain.”
It added that the President expressed “deep concern about the potential impact of these allegations on the reputation of the Sierra Leone Law School and the integrity of the legal profession more broadly.”
According to the release, President Bio emphasized the need for “a fair, impartial and comprehensive investigation to restore public confidence and safeguard the administration of legal education in the public interest.” The Law School, described as a sub-vented institution, plays a central role in training legal professionals in Sierra Leone.
The President has mandated a five-member Independent Investigation Committee to conduct the inquiry. The committee will be chaired by Priscilla Schwartz, a former Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Other members include Mariama Anthony-Williams, Elizabeth Kamara of Fourah Bay College, Nicky Spencer-Coker, and Victor I. Lansana.
The committee has been tasked with investigating all allegations of wrongdoing at the Law School and making appropriate recommendations.
It is also expected to assess the institution’s administrative and governance structures, and identify any systemic weaknesses or failures that may have contributed to the concerns, while proposing measures to ensure transparency, fairness and professionalism.
The statement further disclosed that the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission has informed the President that its ongoing investigation into the matter will be suspended pending the outcome of the committee’s work. This, the release said, is intended “to avoid parallel processes and ensure a coherent, independent and holistic review.”
The Independent Investigation Committee is expected to conclude its work within eight weeks and submit a full report with findings and recommendations to the President.
President Bio, the statement added, “remains firmly committed to enhancing the integrity of the legal profession and ensuring that the Sierra Leone Law School remains an institution of credibility and trust.”
