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The Public Relations Officer of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Alfred Kamanda Esq., has formally resigned from his position, citing what he described as a “brazen abuse of power” by the Sierra Leone Police during the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
In a resignation letter issued on Friday, the PRO said his decision was taken “from a place of sadness and anguish,” bringing an immediate end to his tenure. The resignation follows an earlier announcement in which he had stepped down, now formalised through an official letter.
The outgoing PRO expressed appreciation to members of the Bar and fellow executives for their support and cooperation during his time in office, noting that it had been a privilege to serve in the role.
He, however, pointed to the events surrounding the SLBA AGM as the primary reason for his resignation. According to the statement, lawyers were denied access to the Freetown International Conference Centre, where the AGM was scheduled to take place from July 31 to August 1, 2026.
The PRO stated that the Association had committed significant financial resources to organise the event, while members had travelled from across the country to attend, only to be blocked from entering the venue. He alleged that police officers on site claimed they were acting on “orders from above.”
Describing the situation as a direct interference in the affairs of an independent professional body, he said such actions were unacceptable and could no longer be tolerated.
He also extended an unreserved apology to SLBA members who reportedly stood for hours under the sun but were unable to gain access to the conference centre, despite having paid their annual subscriptions and conference fees.
In a further development, the former PRO announced that he has withdrawn from any re-election bid within the Association, stating that he is no longer interested in contesting for any position.
He concluded by thanking the membership of the SLBA for the opportunity to serve, as the controversy surrounding the disrupted AGM continues to generate reactions within the legal community.
