Freetown, 10th June, 2026 — The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has firmly rejected directives issued by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq, over the indefinite postponement of its Annual General Meeting (AGM), declaring that the Attorney General has no legal authority to interfere in the Association’s internal governance.
In a letter signed by SLBA President Tuma Adama Gento‑Kamara (Nee Jabbi), the Association stressed that while it holds the Office of the Attorney General in high constitutional regard, “respect for an Office does not require acquiescence to ultra vires directives.”
Key Points from the SLBA’s Response
No supervisory power: The SLBA argued that the Attorney General has no statutory or constitutional authority to direct the Association’s affairs, noting that the title “Titular Head of the Bar” is purely ceremonial.
Article 22 dispute: The Association dismissed the Attorney General’s interpretation of its Articles of Association, insisting that only the courts can determine whether the Executive’s mandate has expired.
Companies Act compliance: The SLBA maintained that its postponement notice does not breach Section 185 of the Companies Act, which requires AGMs within 15 months of the last meeting.
Judicial remedy: Any dispute, the Association said, must be resolved through the High Court, not through executive correspondence.
Commitment to AGM: The SLBA pledged to announce a definite AGM date within three months, ensuring compliance with notice requirements and a fair electoral process.
The Association cautioned that the Attorney General’s directives “cross a constitutional line,” warning that any attempt to enforce them outside judicial processes would amount to unlawful interference.
“The independence of the Bar is a cornerstone of the rule of law and the administration of justice,” the letter stated. “That independence includes the right of the Bar to govern itself, to interpret its own regulations in the first instance, and to be answerable only to its members and the courts, not to executive fiat.”
The SLBA reaffirmed its commitment to legality, dialogue, and mediation, but insisted that the Attorney General’s role must remain advisory, not supervisory.
