By Sulaiman Jalloh
In a landmark move, the Sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, during its 49th plenary sitting of the second session, unanimously approved Honourable Justice Fatmata Bintu Alhadi as a Justice of the supreme court.
Presenting the eleventh report of the committee on appointments and public service, the leader of government Business and committee chairman, Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma, informed the House that the nominee was thoroughly vetted, he stated that the interview process addressed issues such as her educational background, professional track record, asset declaration, tax obligations, and vision for the judiciary.
The report represents a unanimous decision of the committee, Hon. Nyuma declared, Mr. Speaker, Honourable members, be it resolved that the eleventh report of the second session of the Sixth Parliament on the committee on appointments and public service be adopted, and the recommendation therein be approved, seconding the motion, opposition whip Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara of Kambia district lauded the appointment, citing Justice Alhadi’s leadership and depth of experience, he described her as a woman of substance” and emphasized the urgent need to improve conditions of service in the judiciary.
For years, we have underfunded the judiciary, Hon. Kamara noted, let us support the judicial system to deliver justice effectively and empower more women to serve, contributing to the debate, deputy apeaker of parliament Honourable Ibrahim Tawa Conteh stressed the complementary roles of Parliament and the judiciary. Referencing Section 138 of the 1991 constitution, he noted that while Parliament enacts laws, the judiciary is responsible for interpreting them.
He further advocated for better remuneration and timely disbursement of funds to enhance judicial service delivery, Judges’ salaries and allowances must reflect the critical role they play in upholding the rule of law, he added, chief whip 2, Honourable Neneh Lebbie, expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for appointing Justice Alhadi, describing her as a highly competent and experienced legal professional, she is more than capable of serving at the highest level of the judiciary, Lebbie affirmed.
Acting Leader of the Opposition, Honourable Aaron Aruna Koroma, expressed confidence in the new supreme court Justice, he urged the Judiciary to adopt a self-accounting financial system to improve efficiency and transparency, and called on the chief Justice to continue efforts to rebrand the institution, parliament has set the pace with 30% gender representation; we expect the Judiciary to follow suit, he said.
Concluding the debate, Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma acknowledged that although Parliament sets its own salaries and allowances, doing so often meets with public resistance, he reiterated the government’s commitment to improving conditions of service across all three arms of government, under president Bio’s leadership,we recognize the Judiciary as an independent arm of government. It must not be politicized, Nyuma said, we must continue implementing reforms to restore public trust and strengthen the rule of law.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, May 26TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
