The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) is facing renewed scrutiny after members questioned the executive’s decision to publish a court-ordered voter list at approximately 11:00 p.m., a move that has sparked concerns over transparency and compliance with judicial directives ahead of the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
Several members of the association have expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the voter register was released, arguing that although the High Court ordered its publication, the executive only made it available late at night through a video posted on the SLBA Secretariat’s WhatsApp forum.
According to concerned members, the voter list was not published during normal working hours as expected, nor was it circulated through other official public platforms in a format that would allow lawyers adequate time to review the names before the AGM.
The late-night publication has raised fresh questions within the legal community, with some members suggesting that the timing and method of release undermined the spirit of the High Court’s ruling, which sought to promote transparency and accountability in the association’s electoral process.
Some members have also questioned whether the SLBA executive is fully complying with court directives, alleging that the leadership has failed to adhere to several previous instructions issued during the ongoing legal proceedings surrounding the association’s governance.
The controversy follows a ruling delivered by Justice Mark Ngegba of the High Court on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, in response to an Originating Summons filed by lawyer Ebunoluwa Tengbeh on 10th June 2026 under Sections 185 and 195 of the Companies Act 2009.
In his judgment, Justice Ngegba directed the SLBA executive to publish a list of eligible voters and make available the association’s audited financial statements ahead of the AGM. The court emphasized the need for transparency and strict adherence to the association’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
While members acknowledge that the voter list was eventually published, many believe the 11:00 p.m. release fell short of the expectations created by the court’s order and established administrative practice.
The development has intensified debate within the Sierra Leone Bar Association as members continue to call for greater openness, accountability, and respect for judicial directives in the conduct of the association’s affairs.
The SLBA executive had not publicly responded to the concerns over the timing and format of the publication at the time of publication.
