9 Cricket Officials Arrested
By Alimatu Kargbo
Nine officials associated with Cricket Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Authority (NSA) have appeared before the High Court in Freetown over an alleged contempt of court case linked to a suspended Annual General Meeting (AGM).
The officials appeared before Justice Mohamed Bawoh, who directed them to file documents raised by their lawyer before the matter proceeds further.
The case was adjourned to Thursday, October 22, 2026, for further proceedings. However, the court registry clarified that bail had not yet been formally granted to the officials.
Those who appeared included Francis Trevor Samura, Chairman of Cricket Sierra Leone; Mustapha Haroun Korjie, Director of Sports at the Ministry of Sports; Steven Keifala, Director of Participation and Sustainable Sports at the National Sports Authority; Alhaji Koroma and Philip Sahr Sam, both board members of Cricket Sierra Leone; Elizabeth French, the organisation’s Women’s Director; Bockarie Alieu; and two other officials.
Although 23 individuals were listed as contemnors in connection with the matter, only nine appeared before the court.
The contempt proceedings stem from an interim injunction issued by Justice Mark Ngegba, restraining Cricket Sierra Leone Company Limited and its representatives from holding the company’s AGM scheduled for September 11, 2026.
The injunction followed an ex-parte application filed by Murray Town Cricket Club and Emmanuel Pessima, who brought the action in their capacities as a member of Cricket Sierra Leone Company Limited and a board member and Director of Development, respectively.
The application was brought against Cricket Sierra Leone Company Limited and its chairman, Francis Trevor Samura.
Under the court order, the defendants and respondents were restrained from holding the scheduled AGM, whether acting personally or through their servants, agents, proxies or other representatives.
The proceedings concern alleged non-compliance with the injunction, although the allegations remain subject to the court’s determination.
The matter was initially before Justice Ngegba before being transferred to Justice Bawoh.
It is being heard in the High Court’s General Civil Division under Miscellaneous Application No. 204/2026 and involves provisions of the Companies Act, 2009, as amended, alongside the memorandum and articles of association of Cricket Sierra Leone Company Limited.
The court is expected to continue proceedings on Thursday, October 22, as the case over the suspended AGM moves forward.
