President Julius Maada Bio has signed the long-awaited Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) into law, officially repealing the outdated CPA of 1965.

This landmark legislation, which has been a subject of extensive debate and anticipation, marks a significant turning point in Sierra Leone’s criminal justice system, bringing with it substantial reforms aimed at improving the efficiency and fairness of legal proceedings in the country.

One of the most transformative changes introduced by the new CPA is the abolition of jury trials in criminal cases.

For decades, the jury system played a central role in determining the outcomes of serious criminal proceedings in Sierra Leone.

However, the newly enacted law ushers in a shift towards judge-only trials, a decision that reflects a growing consensus within the legal community that jury trials had become outdated and, in many instances, ineffective in delivering timely and fair justice.

The Criminal Procedure Act, which was enacted by Parliament, promises to streamline judicial processes, reduce case backlogs, and eliminate many of the inefficiencies that have long plagued the country’s justice system.

During the signing ceremony, President Bio highlighted the broader context of his government’s efforts to reform the justice sector.

While the reform is being celebrated by many within the legal fraternity, it also raises questions about the future role of citizens in the judicial process. Critics argue that removing juries may concentrate too much power in the hands of judges, but proponents insist that the new law will provide for better, more consistent legal outcomes.