By: Usman Fambuleh
Two distinguished lecturers in the Law Department at IMATT College, University of Sierra Leone, Joel Tejan Deen-Tarawally Esq. and Soriebah Kargbo Esq., have been selected as recipients of the 100 Most Impactful Sierra Leonean Leaders Awards 2026, in recognition of their contributions to legal education, professional development, leadership and national service.
The prestigious recognition is being organised by the West Africa Youth and Children’s Advocacy Network (WAYCAN) and is expected to bring together some of Sierra Leone’s most influential personalities from various sectors.
According to information released by the organisers, the 2026 awards attracted 1,800 nominations, reflecting broad public interest in recognising Sierra Leoneans whose work continues to make a meaningful difference in society.
The recognition of the two IMATT lecturers is particularly significant for Sierra Leone’s legal education sector, as both have combined professional legal practice with teaching and mentorship of the next generation of lawyers.
Joel Tejan Deen-Tarawally Esq. brings an extensive record of legal scholarship, public service, justice service delivery and advocacy to the recognition.
He holds LL.M., BL, LL.B. and BA qualifications and has built a career spanning corporate legal practice, human rights advocacy, criminal defence and legal aid services, children’s rights advocacy, anti-corruption prosecution and legal education.
He has been identified in professional and academic publications as a human rights lawyer, criminal defence lawyer and anti-corruption prosecutor who has contributed to Sierra Leone’s justice sector.
His contribution to legal scholarship is particularly evident in his published works on Sierra Leone’s justice service delivery, human rights and the country’s anti-corruption legal framework.
Through SierraLII and other national and international publishers, Deen-Tarawally has published research examining issues including non-conviction-based forfeiture and asset recovery in the fight against corruption, the new legal regime on whistleblower and witness protection, the rights of persons with disabilities, Sierra Leone’s ratification of the African Youth Charter, and the imposition of severe punishment in anti-corruption cases as a form of deterrence, among others.
Deen-Tarawally has also earned international recognition as a legal scholar and human rights advocate, with his works published on prominent African legal and human rights platforms, including AfricLaw and the University of Pretoria’s Centre for Human Rights network.
His publications have examined critical issues including human rights, disability rights, freedom of expression, youth rights and Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption legal framework, extending his intellectual contribution beyond the country’s borders.
His growing body of national and international scholarship further highlights his contribution to legal education, public discourse and the development of a stronger culture of justice and accountability in Sierra Leone.
He is currently serving as a Prosecutor at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and continues to contribute to public discourse on corruption, accountability and the rule of law.
In March 2026, for example, he authored an analysis of the 2025 Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations and their potential significance in Sierra Leone’s fight against corruption.
His connection to legal education is also reflected in IMATT College course materials identifying him as the lecturer for Human Rights Law, covering areas including international human rights, the United Nations human rights system, women’s rights, children’s rights, disability rights and Sierra Leone’s national human rights framework.
Soriebah Kargbo Esq. has also distinguished himself through his involvement in legal practice, education and youth development.
Available professional records identify Kargbo as a State Counsel at the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He is also associated with the Soriebah School Support Foundation and Excellent Law Syndicate, where he has been involved in educational and legal tutoring initiatives.
His academic journey has also been notable. He graduated from Fourah Bay College as a First Class and Best Graduating Student in 2022, while his professional legal training saw him graduate as the fourth-best student at the Sierra Leone Law School with a Second Class Upper (2:1).
Beyond his academic achievements, Kargbo has demonstrated an interest in supporting disadvantaged children and promoting awareness of children’s rights and access to remedies when their rights are violated.
His work as a lecturer places him at an important intersection between legal practice, legal education and youth empowerment, helping students understand not only the theoretical foundations of law but also its practical application.
The selection of Kargbo and Deen-Tarawally highlights the contributions they have made beyond the lecture room.
For law students, lecturers are not simply instructors responsible for completing a syllabus. They are often professionals who shape how future lawyers understand justice, ethics, human rights, advocacy and the responsibility that comes with legal knowledge.
At a time when Sierra Leone continues to require competent, ethical and socially conscious legal professionals, lecturers who combine classroom teaching with professional practice and public engagement play an important role in shaping the country’s legal landscape.
Their recognition among the 100 Most Impactful Sierra Leonean Leaders 2026 therefore represents a personal achievement for the two lawyers, while also bringing recognition to IMATT College and its Law Department.
The award reflects the broader principle that impact is measured not only by the position one occupies, but also by the lives, institutions and future generations influenced through one’s work.
For Kargbo and Deen-Tarawally, their selection places the spotlight on two legal educators whose professional journeys demonstrate the importance of knowledge, service, mentorship and leadership in shaping Sierra Leone’s future.
The award ceremony is scheduled for 9 October 2026 at Bintumani Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown. According to the award notice, the event will begin at 6:00 p.m.
