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Reports from Sierraeye have alleged that Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Kenya Law Society, was denied entry into Sierra Leone after the Sierra Leone Embassy refused to assure her safety.
“This incident raises serious concerns about the erosion of professional independence in Sierra Leone,” Sierraeye said on X.
Odhiambo was supposed to participate as the guest speaker the Sierra Leone Law Society maiden meeting in Freetown last week but couldn’t make the trip after she said that Sierra Leone’s Acting Ambassador to Kenya, Abdul Kargbo couldn’t assure her of her safety when she would have been there.
Sierraeye reported that the Ambassador “personally” approached Odhiambo and informed her that her “safety and security” could not be guaranteed if she proceeded to Freetown.
The magazine claimed that the Ambassador was acting under the instruction of the Press Secretary to Sierra Leone’s president, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi.
This recent occurrence, if factual, paints a grim picture of the legal profession in Sierra Leone and how national politics is used to muzzle freedom of association and the right to belong.
Experts are also saying that the central government is not in support of the Law Society of Sierra Leone which was formed by lawyers who felt disenfranchised by the recent Sierra Leone Bar Association election.
This divide became quite crystal by the absence of Sierra Leone Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay from the event.
“The Law Society of Sierra Leone sought assurances from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay who himself declined an invitation to attend the event,” Sierraeye said.
Meanwhile the Society, last week, went ahead with the event electing Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marah as their President. Marah, who contested for Presidency of the Sierra Leone Bar Association last May, left the Association after feeling disenfranchised by the lack of transparency in the election.
We know Sierra Leone Bar Association as the only legitimate body that stands for lawyers affairs in this country. Creating another law society as shadow Bar Association has the potential of deepening grudges within that noble profession. But paa Marrah has achieved his goal.Now if he’s patriotic we will see the dynamics in that society. Any way we have a society and an association.What are we expecting sir and Madam over there.
I love you my sister or brother, Laila. Only us Sierra Leoneans that love our nation will speak positively so to position our country. Now, per say, Sierra Leone have two bar law society in the country. What a mess? People just want to rule others and don’t want to be ruled by others. What are they going to benefits from by forming another law society. They should just have made peace, come to a common ground and move forward for the betterment of our beloved country. But no. With bad heart, they will form another Law society. Wow!!!. God bless and protect Sierra Leone.
This situation highlights a troubling issue: political interference in professional legal institutions. If the President of the Kenya Law Society was truly prevented from attending due to security concerns, it raises questions about the state of legal independence and freedom of association in Sierra Leone.
Legal societies are meant to operate without political pressure, ensuring that justice and the rule of law remain impartial. When external forces influence or restrict their activities, it can undermine the integrity of the legal profession. This incident could be part of a broader pattern where political interests attempt to suppress legal voices that may challenge authority.