The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to strengthening justice delivery and expanding access to justice across Sierra Leone following the official commissioning of newly constructed residential quarters for the Resident High Court Judge and Magistrate in Kailahun District.
He joined the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, judges of the Judicature, and the Minister and Deputy Minister of Works for the commissioning ceremony, marking a significant investment in judicial infrastructure and the administration of justice.
The newly constructed quarters address a longstanding infrastructure gap in the district. The facilities are expected to improve the living conditions of judicial officers, support their regular presence in Kailahun, and contribute to more effective court operations and the timely administration of justice.
The investment complements the establishment of a Sexual Offences Model Court in Kailahun, reflecting broader efforts to strengthen justice-sector infrastructure and improve the handling of sensitive cases. The Government has also expressed its commitment to extending similar improvements to other districts across the country.
“Brick by brick, Sierra Leone continues to build a justice system that serves every citizen,” Alpha Sesay affirmed.
For the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, these developments underscore the importance of investing in the infrastructure, institutions, and personnel needed to make justice accessible, efficient, and responsive to citizens’ needs.
The Attorney General emphasised that the commissioning represents another step towards ensuring that geographical location does not become a barrier to justice and that every Sierra Leonean can meaningfully access judicial services.
As part of the visit, Chief Justice Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda reviewed the files of convicted prisoners at the Kailahun Correctional Centre, working alongside other judges to scrutinise cases in accordance with the law and address prison congestion.
The exercise resulted in the release of prisoners convicted of minor offences who remained in custody. According to prison records, more than 100 inmates on the list submitted for review were expected to be released that day.
The Chief Justice clarified that the exercise should not be interpreted as an endorsement of routinely releasing convicted persons. Rather, it was a lawful intervention aimed at addressing prison congestion and scrutinising cases in which continued detention might warrant judicial review.
He also stressed the importance of ensuring that justice is not only delivered but seen to be delivered, highlighting the need for effective judicial deployment, fair hearings, and timely case management.
The commissioning of the judicial quarters, alongside investments in specialised court facilities and efforts to review prisoners’ cases, demonstrates the complementary roles of infrastructure development, effective judicial administration, and lawful case management in building a responsive justice system.
The initiative received commendation from stakeholders in Kailahun District, including the Paramount Chief, Kailahun Town Chief Mrs. Navo Kaikai, and MP Hindolo Gevao Esq., who welcomed the efforts to address prison congestion through judicial scrutiny.
The Judiciary of Sierra Leone.
