President Bio Refuses to Sign Constitutional Amendment Bill, Seeks Supreme Court Opinion

President Julius Maada Bio has referred a petition challenging the passage of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2026, to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion.

The President made the referral pursuant to Section 122(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, following growing public debate and differing views over the passage of the Bill by Parliament.

According to a statement issued on Monday, September 14, 2026, President Bio received a petition from the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) on September 4, raising constitutional questions concerning the passage of the Bill.

The President subsequently received the Bill, titled “The Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2026,” from the Clerk of Parliament on September 10 for Presidential Assent.

The statement said President Bio has closely followed the various debates surrounding the proposed constitutional amendment, including views expressed both in support of and against its passage.

President Bio said the importance of the Bill, which touches on Sierra Leone’s constitutional and democratic foundations, requires broad national consensus and constitutional clarity to strengthen public trust and confidence in the constitutional review process.

In response, the President has directed that the petition be referred to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion. He has also mandated the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to facilitate the referral.

The Clerk of Parliament has been formally notified of the decision.

According to the statement, if the Supreme Court’s judicial opinion is not received within 14 days from the presentation of the Bill, the President’s final decision on the legislation will be communicated to Parliament at the earliest opportunity upon receipt of the Court’s opinion.

The Presidency described the referral as an unprecedented step reflecting President Bio’s commitment to ensuring that matters of profound national importance are handled with due diligence, transparency and fidelity to Sierra Leone’s Constitution.