Freetown, 9th October 2026- The General Legal Council (GLC) has expressed concern over the conduct of senior legal practitioner Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara during ongoing Supreme Court proceedings challenging the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2025, while also appealing to the court to reconsider the custodial sentence imposed on him for contempt.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Council said it has been closely following the constitutional case, which has attracted widespread public and legal interest across the country.
The GLC praised the Judiciary for allowing accredited media houses to livestream the proceedings, describing the move as a significant step in promoting public access to justice. It also commended legal practitioners representing both the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and the applicants before the court, noting that the matter is expected to contribute to the development of Sierra Leone’s constitutional jurisprudence.
However, the Council said it was troubled by what it described as repeated altercations between Kamara and the Bench during the proceedings, which ultimately resulted in a contempt ruling and a custodial punishment against the senior lawyer.
According to the Council, Kamara’s conduct over the past two days, witnessed by members of the public through live broadcasts, was discourteous and failed to reflect the standards expected of the legal profession.
The Council noted that the situation was particularly concerning because the conduct occurred before the country’s highest court and involved exchanges with Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, who also serves as President of the Supreme Court.
“As a regulatory body, the Council finds the conduct of learned senior counsel Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara quite discourteous and misrepresentative of the legal profession,” the statement said.
The GLC reminded members of the legal profession of their obligations under Rule 4(2) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) Rules, 2010, which requires lawyers to act courteously and respectfully toward judges, fellow practitioners, court staff, litigants, witnesses and clients.
Despite its criticism of Kamara’s conduct, the Council called for restraint and reconciliation, urging the Supreme Court to revisit the custodial sentence when proceedings resume or at any other appropriate time before the next hearing date.
The Council said such a move would serve the interests of justice and help preserve the longstanding professional relationship between the Bar and the Bench as the landmark constitutional case continues before the nation’s highest court.
