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The Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, has declared null and void the purported removal of Sahr Abdulai Komassi as Chiefdom Speaker of Nimikoro Chiefdom in Kono District, describing the action as unauthorised, unprocedural and illegal.
In a public notice dated August 25, 2026, the Ministry said its attention had been drawn to what it described as an unauthorised attempt to remove Komassi, the duly recognised Chiefdom Speaker of Nimikoro.
The Ministry maintained that the purported removal had no legal effect and violated established customary laws, traditional governance structures and relevant provisions of the Chieftaincy Act, 2009, as well as local government regulations governing the tenure and removal of chiefdom functionaries.
The Government consequently reaffirmed Sahr Abdulai Komassi as the only legitimate and lawful Chiefdom Speaker of Nimikoro, stating that he retains all duties, authority and privileges associated with the office.
The directive follows a dispute over the leadership of the Chiefdom Speaker’s office. Earlier reports indicated that Komassi had petitioned authorities over his alleged replacement during a chiefdom meeting on August 20, 2026. He maintained that he had neither resigned, been suspended nor formally removed from office.
The Ministry has now directed government institutions, local authorities, the Tribal Administration, non-governmental organisations, local court chairmen, section and town chiefs, and members of the public not to recognise or conduct official chiefdom business with any self-imposed or unverified replacement.
It further warned against any attempt by unauthorised individuals to take possession of official chiefdom books, seals or other symbols of office, describing such an action as an unlawful intrusion that would be dealt with decisively.
The Ministry also appealed for calm, urging community members and youth groups in Nimikoro to maintain public peace and allow lawful administrative channels to address the grievances and other governance-related concerns within the chiefdom.
In outlining the way forward, the Ministry said it had made several attempts to address concerns raised by critical chiefdom stakeholders and members of the public regarding the governance of Nimikoro Chiefdom.
According to the notice, the Ministry had sought to engage the Paramount Chief on the concerns but described him as having remained “uncooperative and indifferent” in addressing the issues raised.
The Ministry nevertheless stated that it remains committed to investigating the concerns raised by chiefdom authorities and other members of the public regarding the administration of Nimikoro Chiefdom.
The Government’s position effectively places the purported removal of Komassi outside the recognised administrative and customary framework and reinforces his status as the lawful Chiefdom Speaker pending any legitimate process that may be undertaken in accordance with the law.
The development comes amid growing attention to the dispute over the Chiefdom Speaker’s position, with Komassi previously urging district and provincial authorities to intervene and determine whether the procedures governing his alleged replacement had been followed.
The Ministry’s latest notice was signed by Prince Alex Soriba, Senior Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, and dated August 25, 2026.
The Government has therefore made clear that, until lawful administrative procedures determine otherwise, Sahr Abdulai Komassi remains the recognised Chiefdom Speaker of Nimikoro Chiefdom.
