PROFILE
By Braima Siafa Nongolui
Hon Justice Komba Kamanda, Chief Justice of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on Monday 16th December, 2024 appointed Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda as Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone. That announcement was greeted with euphoria, amidst many descriptions of him such as ‘The Reformer’, The New Face and The Judicial Asset is finally at the helm.
As the current Chief Justice, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda is a distinguished legal professional with over nineteen years of uninterrupted and exemplary service in the Judiciary. His tenure as a Judge has been marked by dedication, integrity, and a deep commitment to justice and legal reform in Sierra Leone. Justice Kamanda holds an impressive academic record with qualifications spanning multiple legal disciplines. He earned an LL.M. in International Commercial Law with a distinction in Corporate Governance from Salford University, Manchester (UK) in 2020. His legal journey began at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (General) in English, International Relations, and Law. He was called to the Bar in 2004 after completing his Barrister-at-Law (BL) at the Sierra Leone Law School.
Justice Kamanda’s career in the Judiciary began in 2005, when he was appointed Magistrate. Over the years, he demonstrated remarkable leadership and judicial acumen, rising to Principal Magistrate in 2014, High Court Judge in 2016, and Justice of the Court of Appeal in 2020. His judicial service has spanned multiple regions, including Freetown, Waterloo, Kenema, Kailahun, Bombali, and Koinadugu, ensuring access to justice across Sierra Leone. His expertise extends across civil, criminal, and constitutional law. He has presided over some of the country’s most significant cases in recent history. Notably, he delivered landmark judgments that no one, including former Presidents, has immunity from criminal prosecutions in grave matters of human rights and corruption.
In 2023, Justice Kamanda completed the treason trial of Amadu Koita Makalo and 11 others related to the November 25th and 26th incidents, reinforcing the rule of law in Sierra Leone. Justice Kamanda has played a pivotal role in judicial reforms, particularly in case management, bail regulations, and sentencing. He was a key member of the Inter-Sectoral Committee on Case Management and Justice Delivery (2013) and the Bail and Sentencing Committee (2015), formulating the Bail Regulations now governing bail procedures in Sierra Leone.
As a Senior Judicial Trainer, he has facilitated legal education for Magistrates and newly appointed Judges, with a strong focus on bail and sentencing, judicial ethics, and case management. His contributions to judicial training have significantly enhanced judicial efficiency in Sierra Leone. Justice Kamanda has represented the Judiciary of Sierra Leone in various international forums, delivering papers and participating in key legal discussions on behalf of various Chief Justices. He has attended specialized courses on Arbitration, Mediation, Environmental Law, Cybercrime, Corruption, and Human Rights, reinforcing his expertise in diverse areas of legal practice. For his outstanding service, Justice Kamanda has received multiple recognitions, including a Certificate of Recognition from the Judiciary of Sierra Leone (2016) and an award from the Old Bo Boys Association for his contributions to the legal system.
Justice Kamanda is a member of the Commonwealth Association of Magistrates and Judges and holds key leadership positions within the United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone, including serving as a Board Member of the United Methodist University and Vice President of the Council of Finance and Administration. With a sterling reputation in judicial administration, legal reforms, and justice delivery, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda stands as a pillar of integrity and professionalism in the legal landscape of Sierra Leone. His leadership as Chief Justice is expected to strengthen the Judiciary, uphold the rule of law, and enhance access to justice for all Sierra Leoneans.
ABOUT THE SIERRA LEONE JUDICIARY
The Judiciary of Sierra Leone is the branch of the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone that interprets and applies the laws of Sierra Leone to ensure impartial justice under the law and to provide a mechanism for dispute resolution. The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by the constitution. Section 120(1) of the Constitution states that the judicial power of Sierra Leone shall be vested in the judiciary. The judiciary of Sierra Leone, headed by the Chief Justice, comprises the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, and the High Court. These constitute the Superior Court of Judicature. The inferior courts comprise the Magistrates courts and the Local courts. The Magistrates’ Courts exist in each district. Local courts administer customary law in provincial communities outside the Western Area.
The administration of justice is the focal and foremost function of the judiciary. According to Section 120(2), the judiciary has jurisdiction over all civil and criminal matters relating to the 1991 Constitution and such other matters conferring jurisdiction on it by Parliament or under an Act of Parliament. Section 120(3) stipulates that in the exercise of its functions, the judiciary shall be subject only to the 1991 Constitution or any other law and shall not be subject to the control or direction of any other person or authority.
Copyright –Published in Expo Magazine, May-June 2025 Edition Vol.3, No.4, (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
