On the 28th August 2024, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone through its Acting Chief Justice, His Lordship Hon. Justice Nicholas C. Browne-Marke has officially opened two new Magistrate and High Court infrastructures in Bo to attend to the overcrowding of cases in the Southern Region.
In a ceremony held for the opening, the Acting Chief Justice declared he was pleased not only to witness what he described as a histrionic event but also to officially open the newly constructed court buildings himself. He went on to explain how before these infrastructures, the Judges and Magistrates were holding court sittings in an atmosphere that was never conducive and the court buildings were in bad shape with no air conditioners or electricity supply.
Moving on he shared praises to Hon. Justice Abubakar Sannoh who he said has been covering cases in both Bo and Kenema without complaint.
The Acting Chief Justice continued by stating how the newly constructed court buildings have key facilities that will enhance effective justice delivery such as well spacious chambers for the judge and same for the magistrates, offices with needed facilities for senior support staff, and also three decent holding centers for both male and female inmates.
In his address, the State Council for the Southern Region, Augustine Sheku proclaimed for effective justice delivery to be achievable and pleaded for enabling environment be created first, adding that the event indicates that the Judiciary is more than ready for justice to be effectively and expeditiously delivered.
“This opening of the Courts today will ensure regular court sittings and will help to address overcrowding in the male correctional center,” he declared.
The Assistant Inspector General of Police, (AIG) Brima Kenneh told the crowd that the Judiciary of Sierra Leone would benefit more from these modern structures. He said the Inspector General of Police was impressed with the spate of developments within the Judiciary.
He maintained that the condition under which the Magistrate and Judge were working was never conducive, which rendered expeditious trials for those charged to court. He added that the situation under which they were working had a spillover effect on effective policing.
Representing the Ministry of Works and Public Assets, the Chief Engineer said for the justice sector to function effectively, the infrastructures had to put in place. He said it is on this hallmark that the Judiciary is partnering with the Ministry of Works and Public Assets to ensure that the same facilities are put up in other judicial districts as it was done in Kailahun.
At the end of the event, the ribbon was cut by the Hon. Resident Minister South Hon. Mohamed E.K Alie and the Paramount Chief Prince Lapia Boima IV of Kakua Chiefdom and other dignitaries.