By Morlai Ibrahim Kamara
Sierra Leone’s Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Nicolas Browne-Marke has hosted the executives of the Sierra Leone Bar Association at the Main Law Court Building in Freetown.
During the closed door meeting Hon. Justice Nicolas Browne-Marke urged the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Madam Tuma Adama Jabbie and her executive members to reach out to all factions in the wake of a disputed election during the Bar Association’s Annual General Meeting that was held on May 2024, in Kenema. Tuma Adama Gento Jabbie was elected as the new President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA).
She got Jabbie 506 votes, defeating her opponent Wara Serry Kamal, who received 23 votes, and Augustine S. Marrah, who obtained 15 votes. However, the opponents described the election as fraudulent and shamble.
The Chief Justice described the visit as the normal tradition for a newly elected executive of the Bar to pay courtesy to a seating Chief Justice, adding that he was happy that the tradition still continues.
The Hon. Acting Chief Justice stressed that one of the key activities of the association is to fearlessly project the principles of the rule of law by calling on government to do the needful.
Vice President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Sidikie Tommy assured the Chief Justice of reaching out to all members of the Association by requesting the Hon. Chief Justice to mediate in the current impasse.
In his response, he said that if he called upon to mediate he would do so not in the capacity as Acting Chief Justice but in an informal capacity.