Following the instruction of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, the University of Sierra Leone has terminated the contract of Mr. James Tamba Lebbie as the Director of Public Relations and International Affairs with immediate effect.

The termination of the Contract letter dated 5th February 2024 further instructs the director to stop all media activities on behalf of the University adding he should prepare his handing over notes for the attention of the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, and the acting deputy Registrar.

The University administration thanked Mr. Lebbie for the varied services he has rendered to the institution.

The termination of Mr. Lebbie’s comes against the backdrop of the Ministry of Technical And Higher Education dissolving the University of Sierra Leone’s court following a dispute over the appointment of an acting vice chancellor and principal of the university. The Minister of Higher and Technical Education (MTHE), Dr. Haja Ramatulai Wurie, appoints Prof. Lawrence Kamara as the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal (VC&P) of the University of Sierra Leone (USL).

However, the University of Sierra Leone Directorate of Public Relations, Alumni and International Affairs issued a media Advisory on 25th January on the University Court decision to announce the approval of Prof. Mohamed Samai in compliance with the provisions of the University Act adding that the Court made its position clear that it did not recognise Prof. Joseph Aruna Lawrence Kamara as the “Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal” of USL.

The controversy has sparked a public discourse over the interpretation of the University Act, 2021.