{"id":2154,"date":"2026-08-19T17:25:13","date_gmt":"2026-08-19T17:25:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/daybreaknewspapersl.com\/?p=2154"},"modified":"2026-08-19T17:25:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T17:25:19","slug":"a-fresh-coat-of-paint-but-who-should-fix-our-courts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/daybreaknewspapersl.com\/?p=2154","title":{"rendered":"A Fresh Coat of Paint: But Who Should Fix Our Courts?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By: A. Kargbo<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A court Room that was once neglected<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A courtroom that once showed clear signs of neglect has received a much-needed facelift, but the transformation has also raised questions about the state of public court facilities in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

During a recent visit to Magistrates\u2019 Court No. 3, this newspaper observed a noticeable change. The courtroom, which had previously been affected by leaking, rusty furniture and an unpleasant smell during proceedings, now looks brighter and more welcoming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh paint has given the walls a new look while air-conditioning units have reportedly been provided to improve ventilation and comfort for Magistrates, lawyers, witnesses, accused persons and members of the public who spend long hours in court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At first, the improvement appeared to be a Judiciary-led renovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this medium understands that the work was carried out through the voluntary intervention of a private individual who donated paint and air-conditioning units to the court.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The donor, whose identity could not be independently confirmed at the time of reporting, is also said to be willing to extend similar assistance to other courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gesture is commendable, particularly at a time when many public institutions struggle with limited resources. But it also draws attention to the condition in which some court proceedings have previously been conducted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Courts are places where people’s liberty, rights and disputes are determined. They are therefore expected to provide an environment that reflects the seriousness and dignity of the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For years, however, some courtrooms have struggled with basic maintenance issues, from leaking roofs and deteriorating furniture to poor ventilation and uncomfortable working conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The recent improvement at Court No. 3 shows how much difference even a modest intervention can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it also leaves an important public-interest question; how are the country’s Magistrates\u2019 Courts maintained, and what systems are in place to ensure that court facilities remain safe, comfortable and fit for the administration of justice?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private donations can complement government efforts, and this particular contribution deserves recognition. At the same time, there is a need for clear and sustainable maintenance arrangements so that the condition of a courtroom does not depend solely on whether someone is willing to step forward and help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Judiciary should therefore be given an opportunity to explain its maintenance plans for Magistrates\u2019 Courts and whether similar improvements are planned for other courts facing comparable challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, Court No. 3 has a fresher look, but beyond the new paint and air-conditioning, the renovation has opened a wider conversation about the condition of the spaces where justice is delivered, and who should ultimately be responsible for keeping them that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By: A. Kargbo A court Room that was once neglected A courtroom that once showed clear signs of neglect has received a much-needed facelift, but the transformation has also raised questions about the state of public court facilities in Sierra Leone. During a recent visit to Magistrates\u2019 Court No. 3, this newspaper observed a noticeable […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2155,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2154","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t