By Dadson A. Musa

On the 9th November, 2026, as part of the initiative of the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda to increase access to justice across the country, the Court of Appeal sittings today commenced in Kenema City.

During the sittings, the Court of Appeal presided over by Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi sitting alongside Honourable Justice Michael P Mami JA and Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu JA set aside a High Court judgment in a land dispute between the Kaimapo Family and the Kobba Family in Bo District, while upholding the High Court judgment in the murder case involving Abdul Rahman Jalloh against the State.

Delivering the unanimous judgment in the land dispute, presiding Judge, Honourable Justice  Alhadi said the matter was an Appeal against the judgment of the Local Appeals Division of the High Court sitting in Bo, delivered on 30th January, 2026.

She explained that the trial Judge, sitting with two Assessors, had allowed the Appeal of the Respondents and declared them the lawful owners of the disputed land situated at Bayama Village, Kakua Chiefdom, Bo District.

According to Honourable Justice Alhadi, the Appellants, being dissatisfied with the High Court judgment, appealed on five grounds, principally alleging errors of law, misdirection, procedural irregularities and that the judgment was against the weight of the evidence.

Following a careful analysis of the facts and law, the three Court of Appeal Judges, Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi JSC, Honourable Justice Michael P Mami JA and Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu JA, upheld the Appeal and ordered that the judgment be set aside in its entirety.

“The concurrent findings and judgments of the Local Court and the District Appeal Court in favour of the Appellants are hereby restored and affirmed,” the Court of Appeal judges unanimously ordered.

The Court further declared the Appellants the lawful owners of the disputed land situated at Bayama Village, Kakua Chiefdom, Bo District.

The Judiciary of Sierra Leone Communications and Public Affairs Unit will provide a detailed report on the full judgment delivered in the murder matter involving Abdul Rahman Jalloh against the State in our next  edition.

This initiative has earned the Chief Justice widespread commendations from stakeholders across Kenema District, including the Mayor of Kenema City, who described his appointment as one of the best decisions, citing his commitment to bringing justice closer to the people.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 11th November 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)