Chief Justice Kamanda Opens Court of Appeal Sitting in Kenema to Serve Eastern, Southern Regions

Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice, Komba Kamanda, has officially opened a sitting of the Court of Appeal of Sierra Leone in Kenema, marking the first time in more than three decades that the appellate court has held proceedings in the eastern region.

The development is being described by judicial authorities and community leaders as a significant step toward expanding access to justice for citizens in the Eastern and Southern regions of the country.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Chief Justice Kamanda said the initiative reflects the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that justice is accessible to all Sierra Leoneans regardless of where they live. “Justice must be delivered at the doorstep of every Sierra Leonean,” she said.

For decades, individuals seeking to pursue appeal matters were required to travel to Freetown, where the Court of Appeal traditionally sits. The arrangement often placed a heavy financial and logistical burden on litigants from other parts of the country.

Judicial officials say the decision to hold sittings in Kenema is intended to reduce those challenges while improving the efficiency of the court system.

According to the judiciary, four justices of the Court of Appeal have been assigned to hear more than thirty cases during the two-week sitting. Authorities say the move is expected to help ease the backlog of cases and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.

Local leaders have welcomed the initiative. Sadiq Matoe Kapuwa described the opening of the court sitting in Kenema as a major relief for communities that have long struggled to access appellate justice.

He said the presence of the Court of Appeal in the region is “a blessing” for the people of the Eastern and Southern provinces.

The sitting in Kenema is widely being hailed as a milestone for the judiciary, with officials and residents alike expressing hope that the move will promote fairness, strengthen judicial integrity, and expand access to justice for communities that have historically been far from the country’s appellate court proceedings.