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The High Court in Freetown has on Thursday, April 3, 2025, resumed hearing a chieftaincy election appeal, which included evidence from Abubakarr Kamara, Provincial Secretary at the Ministry of Local Government.
The lawsuit, presided over by Justice Alfred Tommy Ganda, concerns the legality of Alfred Sovula Gbandoma’s candidacy in the Bumbeh District Chiefdom election.
Petitioner Sakpa Jibao Gbekpa filed the case under Section 13 of the Chieftaincy Act of 2009, challenging the election results and calling the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (first respondent), the Provincial Secretary’s Office in Bo (second respondent), and Gbandoma (third respondent) as parties. A court order is still in effect, stopping any chiefdom-related activity pending a final determination.
Kamara, who was subpoenaed on March 24, testified in answering to questions from B.J. Ruffle, the petitioner’s lawyer. He recognized his role as the declaration officer during the candidate eligibility procedure and his official declaration report (Exhibit C10), which was submitted following the ceremony.
He explained the procedures outlined in the Chieftaincy Act, stating that candidates must show that they qualify to councillors, tribal authorities, section chiefs, and the province secretary. He said that objections said during the process are documented, examined, and included in the joint report.
Kamara confirmed that during the September 7, 2024, proclamation ceremony, Madam Irini Labor questioned Gbandoma’s eligibility, claiming that his grandfather wasn’t a paramount chief and the so-called “Gbandoma Ruling House” lacked historical validity.
Kamara also said that he examined the issue and interviewed Ansu Gbandoma, who presented a 2002 voucher allegedly proving that their grandfather, Joe Lansana Gbandoma, had been once a paramount chief. However, when questioned, Kamara said that the original chieftaincy records had been burnt in a fire, and no further paperwork was available.
Justice Ganda raised concerns towards the validity of receipts, recommending that archival documents be obtained. Lawyer Ruffle also depicted a mistake in Kamara’s declaration report, that was dated August 7, 2024, one month before the actual declaration.
Kamara confirmed the date was incorrect and that the report was finalized after it occurred. The case was adjourned to May 7, 2025.
Original chieftaincy records paper has been burnt in fire clearly shows that the man is from a ruling family, Grabbing the power by force pretence, we awaits the justice ruling over this.
The original chieftaincy records paper has been burnt in fire, that clearly shows that the man is not from a ruling family but grabbing the power by force pretence and the influence of money and connections, we hereby awaits the justice ruling over this.