Two senior Sierra Leonean jurists, Justice Komba Kamanda and Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi, both serving on the Supreme Court, have been officially appointed as Judges of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL), reinforcing the Court’s capacity to manage ongoing legal obligations from the former Special Court.
The two Justices took a solemn oath to “without fear or favour, affection or ill-will, serve as a Judge of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone honestly, faithfully, impartially and conscientiously.” The oath was administered by RSCSL President, Justice Richard Brunt Lussick, and witnessed by RSCSL Registrar Binta Mansaray, representing the United Nations, and Ambassador Asmaa Angela James, Deputy Head of Mission of the Sierra Leone Embassy.
Justices Kamanda and Alhadi replace Justices Desmond Babatunde Edwards and Eldred Taylor-Camara on the RSCSL Roster of Judges. The Court’s Statute provides for a total of 16 judges — 10 appointed by the United Nations Secretary-General and six by the Government of Sierra Leone. Judges are only compensated if called upon to serve by the President of the Court. Both Kamanda and Alhadi were appointed by the Government of Sierra Leone.
Justice Kamanda, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone since December 2024, brings over 20 years of judicial experience across all levels of the judiciary. He has served as Magistrate, High Court Judge, Court of Appeal Judge, and Supreme Court Justice. In 2025, he was appointed Chairman of the ECOWAS Judicial Council, which oversees the functioning of the ECOWAS Court.
Educated at Fourah Bay College and the University of Salford, UK, he was called to the Bar in 2004. Justice Kamanda has also contributed extensively to judicial training, including mentoring magistrates and newly appointed judges, and serving on the Bail and Sentencing Committee to strengthen legal procedures in Sierra Leone.
Justice Alhadi has served on the Supreme Court since May 2025. She previously served as a Court of Appeal Justice (2020–2025) and a High Court Judge (2015–2020). Alongside her judicial duties, she lectures at the Sierra Leone Law School and has an extensive background in both private practice and public service, including roles at the Financial Intelligence Unit and as an independent prosecutor for the former Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Justice Alhadi studied in both Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom, earning degrees from University of Surrey, Middlesex University, and an LLM from University of Liverpool. She is also an overseas Bencher of the Middle Temple, London.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone continues the legal obligations of the former Special Court, which concluded its mandate in December 2013. This includes supervising prison sentences, providing witness protection, preserving archives, and assisting national prosecution authorities.
The appointment of two Supreme Court justices to the RSCSL bench underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to maintaining judicial excellence and upholding the legacy of international criminal justice in the country.
