A group of prominent lawyers in Sierra Leone has launched a new organization, “The Lawyers’ Society,” citing concerns over political interference in the legal field.

This breakaway organization, introduced in a formal event in Freetown, includes legal heavyweights Yada Williams, Fatmata Sorie, and Durcil Taylor, all of whom have been vocal in their criticism of the recent elections within the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA).

The May elections, which the group described as a “disgrace,” triggered this move. The founders argue that the SLBA has been marred by political influence, compromising the association’s integrity and autonomy in representing legal professionals.

According to Williams, the decision to form The Lawyers’ Society is grounded in a commitment to uphold the profession’s standards, free from external pressures that they claim have permeated the SLBA.

The new society aims to advocate for transparency and independence within the legal community, with leaders promising to provide an alternative platform focused solely on the interests of lawyers without the interference they allege has plagued the SLBA.

The creation of The Lawyers’ Society signals a significant shift in Sierra Leone’s legal landscape, highlighting increasing tension within the profession over political influence in legal matters.