The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has earned widespread praise from members of the legal profession following his decisive intervention in the ongoing governance crisis engulfing the Sierra Leone Bar Association.
Many lawyers across Sierra Leone have applauded the Attorney-General’s firm stance, describing his actions as a necessary step to end what some have characterized as the unjust domination of the Association by a small group of individuals. According to several members of the Bar, the intervention was long overdue and serves to protect the integrity, democratic principles, and constitutional governance of the legal profession.
The Attorney-General’s action follows growing tensions within the SLBA after its Executive announced the indefinite postponement of the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), a decision that sparked outrage among members who viewed it as an attempt to extend the leadership’s tenure beyond its legal mandate.
In a strongly worded letter dated 2 June 2026 and addressed to the President of the SLBA, Alpha Sesay made it clear that the current Executive no longer possesses the authority to indefinitely postpone the AGM. He noted that the Executive assumed office on 17 May 2024 and that its constitutionally prescribed two-year mandate expired on 17 May 2026.
While acknowledging that existing provisions allow the President to remain in office until a successor is elected, the Attorney-General emphasized that such provisions are intended solely to ensure continuity and cannot be interpreted as granting indefinite authority to remain in office or make major governance decisions.
He stressed that the Executive is now operating only in a caretaker capacity and is restricted to routine administrative functions.
The Attorney-General further challenged the legality of the Executive’s decision to postpone the AGM indefinitely. Citing Section 185(1) of the Companies Act 2009, he reminded the Association that Annual General Meetings must be held at least once every year and that no more than fifteen months should elapse between such meetings.
According to him, an indefinite postponement effectively amounts to the cancellation of the AGM and constitutes a breach of statutory obligations. He argued that the outgoing Executive lacks the legal authority to alter governance arrangements, extend its mandate, or make binding decisions on behalf of members without proper constitutional or judicial authorization.
He also underscored that only the membership of the Association, assembled through a duly constituted general meeting, possesses the authority to make key governance decisions, including matters relating to elections.
Consequently, the Attorney-General directed the SLBA leadership to immediately withdraw the postponement notice and announce a specific date for the AGM. He further instructed that all members be formally notified that the meeting will proceed in accordance with the law and the Association’s governing framework.
The Attorney-General warned that compliance with these directives is mandatory, stressing that legal practitioners cannot champion the rule of law in society while disregarding it within their own professional body.
His intervention has been met with overwhelming approval from many members of the Bar, who believe the move restores confidence in the Association’s democratic processes. Several lawyers expressed the view that the Attorney-General’s action sends a strong message that no group, regardless of status or influence, should be allowed to hold the entire Bar Association to ransom.
Many have described the development as a victory for accountability, transparency, and constitutional order within the legal profession, while urging the SLBA leadership to comply promptly with the directives and allow members to exercise their democratic rights through the AGM.
The Attorney-General concluded by reminding the Association that additional legal and constitutional measures remain available should compliance not be forthcoming, reaffirming that the ultimate authority of the Sierra Leone Bar Association rests with its membership.
