Freetown, 25th June, 2026 — The Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has filed charges against four individuals in what is being described as a landmark enforcement of Sierra Leone’s Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024.
The accused- Sayo Marrah, Lansana Qura, Salieu Kamara, and Abu Bakarr Kamara are charged with three offences under the Act: Contracting Marriage with a Child, Consenting to Child Marriage, and Aiding and Abetting Child Marriage, contrary to sections 2, 3, and 10 respectively.
According to the indictment, Sayo Marrah is alleged to have contracted a marriage with a child, an act expressly prohibited by the law. The child’s father, Salieu Kamara, is accused of consenting to the marriage and participating in the ceremony. Meanwhile, Lansana Qura and Abu Bakarr Kamara are alleged to have facilitated the marriage, playing active roles to ensure the ceremony was successfully conducted.
This case represents a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s fight against child marriage, marking the first prosecution since the Act came into force in 2024. The legislation was introduced to criminalize all forms of child marriage, strengthen protections for minors, and align Sierra Leone’s laws with international human rights standards.
Child marriage has long been a challenge in Sierra Leone, with rights groups warning of its devastating impact on girls’ education, health, and future opportunities. The charges now before the courts are expected to test the strength of the new law and send a strong signal that violations will not go unpunished.
The case is being closely watched by civil society organizations, women’s rights advocates, and international partners, who have hailed it as a turning point in efforts to safeguard children and uphold the rule of law.
