Freetown, 29th September 2025: The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has taken swift disciplinary action against Honourable Justice Mohamed Momoh Jah-Stevens, Justice of the Court of Appeal, following widespread media coverage of a domestic violence case that has cast a shadow over the institution’s public image.
In an official statement released Monday, the Honourable Chief Justice announced that Justice Jah-Stevens has been placed on administrative leave with immediate effect. The matter has also been referred to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) for review and any further action deemed appropriate.
This move comes amid growing public concern over allegations involving 21-year-old law student Edwina Hawa Jamiru, who previously accused the judge of impregnating and abandoning her. In an interesting move, Jah-Stevens has filed charges against Jamiru under the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, citing three counts of physical abuse and intimidation. The alleged incident occurred on August 27 at Kowa Drive in Regent, Freetown.
Jamiru, who was reportedly a student of the judge, had earlier released a viral video in December 2024, stating, “We were lovers… He told me he never loved me and only used me to satisfy his sexual desires.” Her emotional account struck a chord with many, as she expressed disillusionment with the judiciary, which she once viewed as a “symbol of hope.”
The Judiciary’s decision to suspend Justice Jah-Stevens signals a commitment to institutional accountability and due process, with many viewing the outcome as a critical test of the judiciary’s ability to uphold its own standards.
