Legal Council Condemns JFK’s Supreme Court Conduct as Contempt Proceedings Loom
Ben Bassey The General Legal Council has condemned the conduct of lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) during this week’s Supreme Court hearings on the Constitutional Amendment Bill, adding institutional weight to criticism of the APC lead counsel’s courtroom behaviour.
The condemnation follows Kamara’s dramatic detention for contempt of court on Thursday, October 8, 2026, after a tense exchange with Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, during which he was ordered to remove his wig and enter the dock .
The confrontation arose from Wednesday’s proceedings when Kamara, representing APC MP Hon. Osman Timbo, challenged the Attorney-General’s Office for failing to file a Statement of Case. The dispute escalated after the Chief Justice took issue with remarks attributed to Kamara, which he described as “terribly derogatory” to the Court’s integrity.
On Thursday, Kamara was given a choice: issue an acceptable public apology or face contempt proceedings. After a 15-minute recess, he apologised and retracted his statement, but the Chief Justice ruled the apology inadequate and ordered him to the dock.
As police escorted him away, Kamara told members of the Bar: “Members of the Bar, I will be back”
The General Legal Council’s intervention adds to growing criticism of Kamara’s conduct. Prominent public figure Sylvia Blyden had earlier condemned his remark—”You are showing your hand too early”—as an “uncouth and unwarranted accusation” unfit for the Supreme Court, arguing that the adversarial process exists between opposing lawyers, not between counsel and presiding judges.
Kamara was reportedly granted bail following his detention. The Supreme Court has adjourned proceedings to Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The substantive constitutional questions remain unresolved as the Court prepares to reconvene.