Freetown, October 20th 2025 — Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has raised serious concerns over the judiciary’s repeated failure to comply with the Right to Access Information Act 2013, describing the conduct as a threat to transparency, accountability, and democratic governance.
According to CHRDI, the organization submitted a formal request on August 21, 2025, seeking information on the status of Appeals and Supreme Court proceedings related to Sierra Leone’s 2018 Commissions of Inquiry. Under the provisions of the Access to Information Act, the judiciary was legally obligated to respond within 15 working days. It did not.
Following the lapse, CHRDI lodged a formal complaint with the Right to Access Information Commission on September 23, 2025. In response, the Commission issued a directive on October 9, instructing the judiciary to comply within seven days. That deadline also passed without a response.
“A judiciary that does not respect the laws under which it operates poses a serious concern for democracy and the rule of law,” CHRDI stated in a public release. “This refusal to provide information undermines transparency and accountability, principles that are essential for good governance.”
CHRDI emphasized that the judiciary’s silence erodes public trust in the justice system and signals a dangerous disregard for legal obligations. The organization insists that the judiciary is not above the law and must be held accountable for its failure to comply with statutory requirements.
“The judiciary’s failure of leadership and lack of respect for the rule of law are dangerous conditions that must be addressed immediately,” the statement continued.
CHRDI says it remains committed to pursuing the matter and will continue to advocate for institutional accountability and respect for citizens’ right to information
