A new legal organization, The Lawyers’ Society, has been launched in Freetown by prominent legal figures Yada Williams, Fatmata Sorie, and Durcil Taylor, in response to growing concerns over political interference in the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA).

The group, dissatisfied with the May 2024 SLBA elections, which they claim were influenced by politics, aims to restore integrity and independence to the legal profession.

During the launch, Yada Williams criticized the elections, calling it a “blatant act of manipulation,” and emphasized the society’s commitment to resisting political influence. Fatmata Sorie highlighted the divisive nature of the elections and expressed hope that The Lawyers’ Society would unite the legal community.

Durcil Taylor urged members to uphold the law and maintain the society’s independence by ensuring that public officials do not hold executive positions within the organization

The society’s founders stressed the importance of transparency, professionalism, and the avoidance of political entanglements.

They invited dissatisfied legal practitioners to join them in their mission to protect the rule of law and ethical practice in Sierra Leone’s legal system.

To further strengthen the society’s mission, the interim executive team of The Lawyers’ Society has been introduced:

President: Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah

Vice President: Wara Serry-Kamal

Secretary-General: Margaret Davies

Treasurer: Joy Precious Bayoh

Public Relations Officer: Claude Bami Davies

The society’s leadership is committed to fostering transparency, professionalism, and the protection of ethical standards within Sierra Leone’s legal community. By launching this organization, they hope to combat political influence and create a space where legal practitioners can operate without fear of external pressures.