Freetown, 17th September 2025- The Lawyers’ Society has issued a strong statement urging the Office of the President to reverse the suspension of Hon. Justice A. B. Halloway JSC and to initiate a formal investigation into grievances raised by the judge in a letter dated 11th August 2025.

Justice Halloway was suspended pending disciplinary proceedings, according to a presidential directive. However, the Lawyers’ Society notes that no official reason has been provided for the action, raising concerns about procedural fairness and constitutional compliance.

Prior to his suspension, Justice Halloway had submitted two letters on 11th August and 11th September alleging the withholding of his statutory allowances and employment benefits, removal from judicial panels, and exclusion from hearings at both the Appellate and Supreme Courts. He claimed these actions had adversely affected his health and that of his mother, and constituted violations of Section 138(3) of the 1991 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

In response, the Lawyers’ Society sent two letters to the Hon. Chief Justice on 22nd August and 5th September, requesting clarification and a response to the allegations. As of press time, no acknowledgment has been received.

The Society outlined three key positions:

  • That the Judicial and Legal Service Commission should have formally considered Justice Halloway’s complaint before any disciplinary action was taken.
  • That the suspension contravenes Sections 137(5) and (6) of the Constitution, which require the establishment of a tribunal prior to suspending a judge.
  • That the move risks silencing legitimate grievances within the judiciary, undermining judicial cohesion and eroding public trust.

The Lawyers’ Society is calling for the matter to be remitted to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, in collaboration with the Judicial Ethics Committee, to address the judge’s concerns and foster institutional dialogue.

The Society emphasized the importance of a respectful and supportive judicial environment, free from intimidation and marginalization, as essential to upholding judicial independence and the rule of law.

In closing, the Society reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional integrity, due process, and meaningful reform aimed at restoring public confidence in Sierra Leone’s justice system.