Banjul/Abuja, 25th June, 2026 — The ECOWAS Court of Justice has delivered a landmark judgment against Sierra Leone, ruling that the state failed to protect a minor from child marriage and its devastating consequences.
The case, filed in February 2024 by the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and AdvocAid Limited, centered on a girl married at the age of 11 in 2017. Her marriage exposed her to abuse and vulnerabilities that culminated in her conviction in 2021 for the murder of her co-wife’s child. She spent four years in detention before receiving a presidential pardon in August 2025.
The Court found that Sierra Leone did not take adequate measures to prevent child marriage, failed to investigate the violation despite clear evidence, and neglected its obligation to protect girls from gender-based violence. It ordered the government to undertake legal and institutional reforms, prosecute those responsible for the minor’s marriage, and provide her with psychological counseling and rehabilitation. The Court also awarded USD 10,000 in compensation to the victim.
Welcoming the ruling, AbdulMalik Bello of IHRDA described it as “a victory not only for the minor in the instant case but for every girl at risk of child marriage in the region.” Willetta Hughes, Legal Manager at AdvocAid, added: “This judgment sends a clear message that protecting girls requires more than strong laws, it requires action.”
The decision comes as Sierra Leone has recently passed the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2024) and the Child Rights Act (2025), both outlawing child marriage. Analysts say the ruling reinforces the need for enforcement and accountability, especially in West Africa where child marriage remains widespread due to cultural, religious, and socio-economic factors.
Rights groups argue the judgment is a significant contribution to regional jurisprudence, setting a precedent that states cannot remain passive in the face of child marriage. AdvocAid and IHRDA have pledged to pursue full compliance with the Court’s orders and continue advocating for stronger protection for girls across the region.
