Abolition of the Death Penalty Act Still Awaiting President Bio’s Assent

On July 23, 2021, Sierra Leone Parliament has finally abolished death penalty in the country.

This follows the passing of the bill entitled: “The Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021”, which removed death penalty from the law books and substituted or replaced with life imprisonment for persons convicted for murder, mutiny, treason and robbery with aggravation.

However, almost two weeks later, the law is yet to take effect.

At the Ministry of Information and Communications weekly Government Press Briefing on the 29th July 2021, it was stated that Abolition of the Death Penalty Bill has been enacted by Parliament but it will not take effect until President Bio append his signature.

Meanwhile, the International Community has commended Sierra Leone for taking the bold step of becoming the 110th country in the world to abolish the death penalty which was replaced with life imprisonment of 30 years minimum jail term.

According to the Attorney General Anthony Brewah, the administration of President Bio is progressive and sees the death penalty as cruel and crude and not fit for purpose in modern times.