The Sierra Leone’s Acting Chief Justice , Hon. Justice Nicolas C. Browne-Marke has hosted the executive of the Sierra Leone Bar Association at the Main Law Courts Building in Freetown.
Hon. Justice Nicolas C. Browne-Marke urged the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Madam Tuma Adama Jabbi and her executive to reach out to all factions in the wake of contentions with the outcome of Bar Annual General Meeting held in Kenema.
Tuma Adama Gento Jabbi elected as the new President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) in the election which took place in May 2024.
Garnering a significant majority, Jabbi secured 506 votes, overwhelmingly defeating her opponents Wara Serry Kamal, who received 23 votes, and Augustine S. Marrah, who obtained 15 votes. However, the opponents described the election as not free and fair.
The Chief Justice described the visit as the normal tradition for a newly elected executive of the Bar to pay courtesy to any seating Chief Justice. He said same was done when he was Secretary General of the Bar Association and the executive then visited the Chief Justice, adding that he is happy that it continues up to this time.
The Hon. Acting Chief Justice stressed that one of the key activities of the association then, was to fearlessly project the principles of the rule of law by calling on government to do the rightful or needful.
Vice President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Sidikie Tommy accepted the spirit of reaching out to all members of the Association by requesting the Hon. Chief Justice to mediate the process.
In his response to the request to serve as mediator, the Hon. Chief Justice said that he will mediate if he is asked to do so but not in his capacity as Acting Chief Justice but in an informal capacity.