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President Julius Maada Bio has appointed Justice Komba Kamanda as the new Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, following the departure of his predecessor, Chief Justice Babatunde Edwards.
The announcement, made today Monday, marks a significant change in the leadership of the country’s judiciary.
Justice Kamanda, who has served as a senior legal luminary within Sierra Leone’s judiciary, is expected to bring his vast experience to the role, focusing on strengthening judicial independence and enhancing the rule of law. His appointment comes at a critical time when the judiciary is under scrutiny to deliver on its mandate of ensuring fairness and accountability.
Meanwhile, former Chief Justice Babatunde Edwards has been appointed as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Ireland, a diplomatic role highlighting the government’s trust in his service. Edwards served as Chief Justice from 2019 to 2023, during which he presided over several high-profile cases and reforms within the judiciary.
The appointments have sparked mixed reactions from the public and legal professionals. Some view the changes as a strategic move to revitalize the judiciary, while others call for greater transparency in such key appointments.
Justice Kamanda’s confirmation is subject to approval by Parliament, where he is expected to outline his vision for judicial reforms.
Salone: life of the presidency: 5 yrs with potential to renew. Life of the (head of ) Judiciary: indeterminate, more than 0 yr but most likely less than 2 yrs. And we talk about the separation of powers?
Was the office of the Chief Justice ever vacant? Is this another case of continued abuse of power? Salone?