The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has issued a call for immediate government intervention to address pervasive issues within Sierra Leone’s judiciary, citing a troubling culture of mistreatment, discrimination, and systemic failures that compromise justice.

According to CHRDI, judiciary employees are reporting extended delays in salary payments—some going unpaid for up to six months—amidst a controversial internal investigation. The organization claims that the investigation’s conduct provisions do not warrant withholding pay and suggests that this punitive measure might be used as a form of retaliation.

CHRDI further highlighted disparities within the judicial workforce. A newly qualified lawyer, appointed as a court clerk, has reportedly been absent for months while continuing to receive a full salary, allegedly practicing law elsewhere. Conversely, a magistrate has had their salary suspended for failing to report to work, exposing what CHRDI describes as unequal treatment and lack of standardized policy enforcement.

The organization also raised concerns about systemic inefficiencies, including a shortage of judges and magistrates that has resulted in case backlogs. Some judges are reportedly overwhelmed while others are underutilized due to “forum shopping”—the practice of allocating cases to preferred judges, which CHRDI argues undermines the credibility and impartiality of the judicial process.

Further compounding these issues, CHRDI alleges that executive interference in the judiciary is commonplace, with reports of ignored court orders that compromise judicial independence and weaken public confidence in Sierra Leone’s legal institutions.

CHRDI is calling for decisive action, including financial autonomy for the judiciary, stable leadership, and professional development initiatives insulated from external influence. The organization stresses that judges and magistrates require a platform to advocate for improved working conditions to maintain judicial independence—a crucial safeguard of citizens’ rights and civil liberties.

CHRDI, a rights-based social-policy advocacy group with Special Consultative Status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council, emphasizes that immediate reforms are necessary to uphold the integrity and effectiveness of Sierra Leone’s judiciary.