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The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has acknowledged the decision by the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to discontinue criminal proceedings against former President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma.
In a statement issued in response to the public notice dated 14 July 2026, the SLBA affirmed that the Attorney-General is legally empowered to discontinue criminal proceedings under Section 45 of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024. The Association noted that this authority is grounded in the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991) and aligns with established prosecutorial discretion in common law jurisdictions.
However, the SLBA stressed that the exercise of such discretion, particularly in cases of significant national importance, must be guided by transparency, accountability, equality before the law, and the public interest.
“The manner in which such power is exercised is as important as the power itself,” the statement emphasised.
The Association further highlighted that the discontinuance of criminal proceedings does not eliminate the need for justice and redress for victims affected by the circumstances that led to the case.
It underscored the importance of ensuring that victims remain central to the justice process, calling for their interests to be addressed in a fair, timely, and transparent manner.
The SLBA also urged relevant authorities to ensure that any lawful compensation or reparative measures due to victims are promptly assessed and implemented.
According to the Association, such steps are critical to maintaining public confidence in the justice system, promoting reconciliation alongside accountability, and reinforcing the principle of equal justice for all.
The SLBA reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the rule of law, prosecutorial independence, constitutional governance, and equal access to justice in Sierra Leone.
