By Mohamed Mansaray, Kenema
Chief Justice Hon. Komba Kamanda
In an effort to ensure speedy trials and timely access to justice, the Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Hon. Justice Kumba Kamanda, has introduced Saturday court sittings across the country.
This initiative is part of the implementation of the New Criminal Procedure Act (NCPA) 2024, Act No. 8 of 2024, which replaces the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965. Unlike the old law, the new Act introduces time-bound proceedings aimed at reducing delays in the justice system.
Under the new provisions, the Prosecution is required to complete its case within 14 days, while the Defence must respond within another 14 days, making a total of 28 days for the disposal of both Preliminary Investigations (PI) and Summary Trial matters.
The first Saturday court sitting in Kenema took place on October 25, 2025, at the Kenema Magistrate’s Court No. 1, presided over by Principal Magistrate Hadiru Daboh.
During the session, a defendant, Sidi Yayah Fofanah, commonly known as Wiji of Tongo field, appeared before the court on charges of possession of narcotics, contrary to Section 48(a) of the pharmacy and Drugs Act No. 12 of 2001.
According to the police charge sheet, the accused was arrested on October 7, 2025, at the Tongo field police station, lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District, after he was found in possession of five wraps of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis sativa and 250mg of Tramadol, classified as a class A drug, without lawful authority.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the matter was adjourned for further hearing.
The case is being prosecuted by police inspector Alphan Samuel Musa, while the prosecution’s key witness, detective police constable 19516 Dakowa Ibrahim, attached to the Tongo field police division, was led in evidence.
The introduction of Saturday court sittings has been widely welcomed by legal practitioners and justice sector stakeholders, who view it as a progressive step toward decongesting the courts and ensuring swift delivery of justice in Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 29ThOctober 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
