Speaker Thomas Reportedly Misses Supreme Court Amendment Hearing Over Running Stomach
Sahid Bangura Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas was absent from Wednesday’s Supreme Court hearing on the constitutional amendment case after reportedly falling ill, according to SLPP Member of Parliament Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Gevao.
Gevao said the Speaker was unable to attend the proceedings because he was suffering from a stomach illness, which he described as a “running stomach.”
The disclosure comes as the Supreme Court considers a constitutional case arising from amendments recently passed by Parliament and referred to the Court by President Julius Maada Bio for judicial interpretation.
The Court commenced hearing objections to the amendments on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, but proceedings were briefly interrupted after lead counsel for the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, raised a procedural objection concerning a notice filed by the Office of the Attorney-General.
Kamara questioned whether the state’s filings had complied with established court procedures, including whether the relevant documents had been properly served and formally placed before the Court.
The objection resulted in a tense exchange between Kamara and Chief Justice Komba Kamanda over compliance with court processes. The Chief Justice subsequently ordered a brief recess to allow the panel to review the procedural issues raised.
The constitutional dispute follows Parliament’s recent passage of amendments, which President Bio referred to the Supreme Court on 14 September 2026 for judicial determination and interpretation.
The matter is being heard by a five-member panel comprising Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, who is presiding, and Justices M.F. Deen Tarawally, Abdulai M. Bangurah, F.B. Alhadi and J.E.L. King.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the proceedings until Thursday, 8 October 2026, when the hearing is expected to continue.