Former Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Sulaiman Banja Tejan-Sie, has called on President Julius Maada Bio to refrain from signing the Constitutional Amendment Bill, citing concerns over the process through which it was passed.

Tejan-Sie, a veteran lawyer, argued that the constitutional issues surrounding the amendment should first be addressed through judicial interpretation.

He called for the matter to be referred to the Supreme Court for clarification before the President proceeds with signing the Bill into law.

According to the former SLPP Secretary-General, proceeding with the amendment without first resolving the constitutional concerns could have serious legal implications for both the President and the Speaker of Parliament.

He warned that failure to follow the procedures prescribed by the Constitution could expose the two constitutional authorities to potential legal consequences.

Tejan-Sie’s comments have added to the ongoing public and legal debate surrounding the Constitutional Amendment Bill, particularly over questions concerning the constitutionality of the process leading to its passage.

The call comes as attention remains focused on the next steps following Parliament’s consideration of the proposed constitutional changes.