Freetown, 4th June, 2026 — Sierra Leone’s National Investment Board (NIB) has stepped in to resolve a governance crisis at the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), ordering that its long‑delayed Annual General Meeting (AGM) must go ahead as scheduled on June 5–6, 2026 in Lungi, Port Loko District.
The intervention follows an urgent application filed by Ebunoluwa Finda Tengbe, Esq., a member in good standing of the SLBA, after the association’s executive abruptly issued a notice of “indefinite postponement” on June 1. The NIB ruled that the postponement amounted to a cancellation and violated both the Companies Act, 2009 and the SLBA’s own Articles of Association.
The Board noted that the SLBA, registered as a company limited by guarantee, last held its AGM in May 2024 in Kenema. Since then, no annual returns or audited accounts have been filed, creating a statutory backlog. Under Section 185(1) of the Companies Act, an AGM must be held within 15 months of the previous one.
The NIB found that the indefinite postponement not only breached statutory obligations but also risked creating a governance vacuum, unlawfully extending the tenure of incumbent directors and causing financial hardship to members who had already made travel and accommodation arrangements.
To safeguard corporate governance, the NIB issued several binding directives:
AGM to proceed: The meeting must take place on June 5–6, 2026, as originally scheduled. The postponement notice is declared null and void.
Independent Elections Committee: A neutral Returning Officer and independent observers will oversee elections to ensure transparency and legality.
Statutory agenda: The AGM must prioritize presentation of audited accounts, appointment of auditors, and democratic election of new executive officers.
Court recourse: Any member present may apply to the High Court if quorum issues or deliberate boycotts arise.
Membership list publication: The SLBA must publish the register of members entitled to participate.
Compliance warning: Current leadership is directed to comply fully with enforcement actions threatened for obstruction.
The NIB’s decisive action underscores the importance of orderly governance in professional associations and the statutory requirement for accountability. It also highlights Sierra Leone’s regulatory capacity to enforce compliance when corporate bodies default on their obligations.
The directive has been copied to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Deputy Minister of Justice, the Solicitor General, and the applicant, Ms. Tengbe, signalling the seriousness of the intervention.
This ruling sets the stage for a pivotal AGM where the SLBA will not only elect new leadership but also restore confidence in its governance structures.
