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Outgoing Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) President Tuma Adama Jabbie Gento Kamara is expected to hand over leadership today to an interim caretaker body, tasked with stabilising the organisation following a police-disrupted AGM and persistent election disputes.
The transition, set for August 6, 2026, follows a controversial tenure marked by allegations of electoral irregularities, questions over the voter register, and political interference. The handover was finalised during a meeting between Jabbie and Attorney General Alpha Sesay, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the Association’s stability.
This leadership change occurs after the scheduled July 31 AGM was suspended when police blocked access to the Freetown International Conference Centre, citing “orders from above”. The SLBA condemned the police action, stating no court order was presented to justify the halt.
The caretaker body will manage the SLBA’s affairs until a fresh Annual General Meeting and elections can be conducted. The interim administration must address disputes regarding the 2024 Kenema elections and recent disagreements over membership eligibility.
Justice Mark Ngegba had previously ordered the executive to produce audited financials and a verified voter register. Legal practitioners, including Leon Jenkins-Johnston, have urged members to attend the upcoming EGM on August 6 at 85 Wellington Street to resolve the governance crisis.
The development comes amid intensified scrutiny over the Bar Association’s independence, with the government previously intervening to compel the Association to hold elections after its executive mandate expired. The current Board’s term expires on August 18, necessitating the creation of a caretaker body approved by members.
