Executive Director Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles
By Emma Black
n a rare show of bipartisan unity, Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) on Tuesday heaped praise on the Legal Aid Board (LAB) for its remarkable contributions in expanding access to justice across Sierra Leone.
The press conference, held at the LAB headquarters on Wilberforce Street, followed a special parliamentary session during which MPs and government officials reflected on the Board’s achievements, shared personal testimonies, and discussed the path forward, the event brought together legal professionals, civil society leaders, and members of the media.
Addressing attendees, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, emphasized the organization’s roots in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for a more inclusive justice system. She reported that over 4 million Sierra Leoneans have benefited from the Board’s services since its establishment in 2015 services that include legal representation, legal education, mediation, and justice system monitoring.
We serve the most vulnerable, she said, from women in customary marriages and residents of remote communities to incarcerated individuals, she also referenced a recent Overseas Development Institute (ODI) report that ranked LAB as the most cost-effective legal aid provider among low-income countries, operating at just USD 11 per client, far below the global average of USD 20.
Earlier in the day, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Alpha Sesay, addressed Parliament, highlighting the Board’s national reach with 23 offices and its dual focus on both the formal and informal justice systems, the Legal Aid Board is our eyes and ears in police stations, courts, and correctional centres, Hon. Sesay said, they also ensure that Local and traditional Courts operate within legal boundaries, helping to prevent illegal detentions and banishments.
He acknowledged the Board’s crucial use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to reduce the backlog in courts and foster peaceful resolution of civil disputes, however, Hon. Sesay raised a key concern: the shortage of paralegals. According to the Legal Aid Act of 2012, every chiefdom should have access to paralegal services. Yet, the Board currently employs only 59 paralegals, instead of the required 190, this gap limits our ability to fully meet the legal aid needs of all Sierra Leoneans, especially those in remote areas,” he said.
MPs from both sides of the aisle took turns to commend the Board. Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Gavao, Chair of the Human Rights Committee, described the LAB as “a lifeline for rural justice, especially for women in customary marriages. He also called for the Board to be given limited enforcement powers to boost its field authority.
However, Hon. Tamba Kellie of Kono District opposed the idea of enforcement powers, warning it could create conflict with the roles of the police and judiciary. Nevertheless, he praised the Board’s partnership with the Sefadu Correctional Centre, saying it has helped reduce overcrowding and ensured inmates’ rights are protected.
From Kambia District, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara recounted how the Board’s presence has shifted community behavior, People used to seek revenge through witch doctors. Now, they go to the Legal Aid Board, he said. He commended Mohamed Korie, the Legal Aid Counsel in Kambia, calling him the most recognized lawyer in the district.
Kamara also drew attention to deteriorating court infrastructure in Kambia, citing a leaking Magistrate Court, and the lack of an official residence and transport for the magistrate, as barriers to effective justice delivery, even opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo and Hon. Quinton Salia Konneh lent their voices in support, highlighting the Board’s positive impact on resolving community conflicts and reducing youth incarceration in their constituencies.
In her closing remarks, Ms. Carlton-Hanciles described the press conference not just as a celebration but as a call to action, we must do more, more paralegals, stronger regional offices, and greater public awareness are essential, she said, our justice system must serve every Sierra Leonean, regardless of location or status.
What was most notable during the proceedings was the unprecedented unity across party lines. Parliamentarians from both SLPP and APC expressed a shared vision: that the Legal Aid Board is not just a government agency, but a national bridge connecting citizens to their rights and building trust in the justice system, as the session concluded, there was a resounding agreement that while the LAB’s progress is commendable, more support and investment is urgently needed to sustain and expand its reach.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 21st, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
