JFK Granted Bail After Contempt of Court Detention
Sahid Bangura APC Lead Counsel Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, popularly known as JFK, has been reportedly granted bail following his detention for contempt of court during the ongoing constitutional amendment proceedings at the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone.
Kamara’s bail application was granted after he was sent to prison on Thursday, October 8, 2026, following a contentious exchange with the Court over an order requiring him to apologize and withdraw a statement made during the previous day’s proceedings.
The incident occurred during the second day of the constitutional amendment hearing after Chief Justice Komba Kamanda directed Kamara to remove his wig and enter the dock. The Court had determined that Kamara’s earlier response to its request for an apology was inadequate.
Kamara maintained that he had already apologized and retracted the statement. However, the Court directed him to expressly withdraw the statement. His refusal to comply resulted in a contempt of court charge and an order for his detention.
The contempt proceedings followed a tense opening day of the hearing on Wednesday, October 7, when Kamara challenged the Attorney-General’s Office over what he described as its failure to file a Statement of Case.
Kamara argued that the Attorney-General’s Notice of Objections had been improperly filed without the required response to the issues raised by the applicants.
The challenge led to a heated exchange in court, prompting Chief Justice Kamanda to remind counsel that the Supreme Court was not a political platform but an institution founded on independence and integrity. He also urged lawyers appearing before the Court to maintain proper courtroom decorum.
Kamara maintained that the process was unfair and insisted that all parties should be given an equal opportunity to be heard. The exchange subsequently resulted in a brief stand-down of proceedings.
His detention on Thursday marked a significant escalation in the courtroom dispute, but the granting of bail now allows Kamara to secure his release while the wider constitutional amendment proceedings continue.
The Supreme Court has adjourned the constitutional amendment hearing to Tuesday, October 13, 2026.