Parliament Says Speaker’s Ruling Cannot Be Interpreted or Enquired into by Any Court of Law

Freetown, 12^th August, 2026 – Sierra Leone’s Parliament has ignited debate after declaring on its official Facebook page that the Speaker’s ruling “is final and cannot be interpreted or enquired into by any court of law.”

The post, which quickly drew public attention, appeared to contradict the Speaker’s own statement during proceedings. In his ruling, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas acknowledged the constitutional uncertainty surrounding whether non‑entrenched provisions could be amended under Section 91(1) of the 1991 Constitution. He referred the matter to the Supreme Court for an opinion within three months to guide future deliberations.

“I so rule,” the Speaker concluded, leaving many observers puzzled as to why Parliament later insisted that his ruling was beyond judicial scrutiny.

The online declaration triggered sharp reactions. Abdul Karim Kargbo criticised the post as “arrogance from state institutions,” warning that such attitudes undermine peace in African societies. Aruna Rashid Carew added that while the Speaker’s rulings are final in matters of parliamentary procedure, they cannot extend to constitutional interpretation a responsibility reserved for the Supreme Court under Section 124.