By Alhaji Haruna Sani
Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah,President, Wara Serry-Kamal Vice President of The Lawyers’s Society
In a bold move aimed at restoring integrity to Sierra Leone’s legal profession, a group of lawyers has launched “The Lawyer’s Society,” a new organization committed to opposing political influence within the legal community.
The formation follows a controversial election held by the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) on May 18, 2024, in Kenema. Lawyers Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah, Wara Serry-Kamal and Tuma Adama Jento Jabbie were the candidates in the elections which outcome many in the legal profession have condemned as compromised.
The election, led by the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Francis Ben Kaifala, faced severe criticism amid accusations of manipulative practices. Allegations include the selective disenfranchisement of lawyers perceived as non-supporters of Tuma Adama Jabbie, a candidate perceived as aligned with the current pro-government faction.
The incident reportedly escalated to the point where police used pepper spray and tear gas to suppress dissent and ensure control over the voting process.
The dissatisfaction with the SLBA elections prompted prominent legal figures to spearhead the formation of The Lawyers’’ Society.
While officially launching the organization, senior and prominent lawyers Yada Williams, Fatmata Sorie, and Durcil Taylor described the recent SLBA election as a “disgrace” to the legal profession’s integrity.
The Lawyer’s Society, led by an interim executive, aims to champion a transparent and politically neutral legal community.
The executive includes Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah as President, Wara Serry-Kamal as Vice President, Margaret Davies as Secretary-General, Joy Precious Bayoh as Treasurer, and Claude Bami Davies as Public Relations Officer.
The five-man interim executive of The Lawyers’ Society
In her opening remarks, Vice President Serry-Kamal stated that the vision to establish The Lawyer’s Society dates back to 2012, driven by a long-felt need for an alternative organization that could provide a second voice for the profession. The election controversy, she argued, merely underscored the urgency of this mission.
During the launch event, videos were presented that allegedly showed Commissioner Kaifala barring supposed non-supporters from voting, escalating concerns over the SLBA’s political entanglements.
Those incidents of police interference and voter suppression, many attendees argued, illustrated the extent of political manipulation within the legal field.
Interim President Marrah delivered a powerful address in which he drew comparisons between recent events and the criticisms of the legal profession documented in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report following Sierra Leone’s civil war.
He argued that the ongoing issues within the legal profession mirror those historical grievances, noting that Sierra Leone, despite its progress, remains a recipient rather than an exporter of exemplary legal and governance practices.
Marrah affirmed that The Lawyer’s Society is committed to ethical principles and will operate independently of political influence. Membership is open to lawyers licensed to practice in Sierra Leone and those practicing elsewhere, though they may not be licensed in Sierra Leone.
Additionally, he said honorary memberships will be available for citizens who have made significant contributions to rule of law in governance. He said the organization’s constitution bars active political party members and government appointees from holding executive positions to maintain neutrality.
“We are here to hold power holders and power brokers accountable,” Marrah declared. “This society is not an opposition to the government, nor will it be an ally when there is a departure from constitutional principles and acceptable standards.”
Battery of lawyers present during the occasion at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown
Other notable speakers, including Gbatundu Ndeyia Kutubu, the 2021 Star Pupil, echoed Marrah’s sentiments, condemning the recent disregard for the rule of law and urging the new organization to uphold the standards that the SLBA has allegedly compromised.
With The Lawyer’s Society’s foundation, Sierra Leone’s legal professionals are looking to rewrite the standards of their field, creating a watchdog organization determined to protect the integrity of the legal profession from political interference.
The organization calls upon all lawyers to join in the pursuit of justice and accountability, envisioning a profession that stands apart from the political pressures of the day.
