The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has in a ruling delivered by High Court Judge Justice Adrian Fisher on the 26th May 2025 secured a landmark legal victory against the Bank of Sierra Leone following a protracted legal battle over the Bank’s failure to comply with its obligations under the Right to Access Information Act, 2013.
The case began on 30th December 2019, when journalist Martha Kargbo submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Bank of Sierra Leone. She sought detailed information relating to the country’s foreign exchange history. In response, on 7th January 2020, the Bank directed her to its website, claiming the information was publicly available there.
After failing to locate the information as directed, Ms. Kargbo informed the Bank via a follow-up letter dated 13th January 2020. However, she received no further response. Consequently, a formal complaint was lodged with the RAIC on 30th March 2020.
Upon investigating the matter, the Commission found that the information was not readily accessible through the Bank’s website at that time.
Despite its intervention, the bank failed to provide the requested information. As a result, RAIC issued an Order on 17th December 2020, for non-compliance to the provisions of the Right to Access Information Act 2013 and imposing a fine of Le 70,000,000 (old Leones)
Challenging this decision, Solicitors for the Bank of Sierra Leone filed an Originating Notice of Motion on 10th February 2021, seeking, among other things:
- A declaration that it had complied with Sections 2 and 3 of the Right to Access Information Act, 2013;
- An order to quash the Commission’s Order and fine.
After careful deliberation of all court papers filed in the matter for and on behalf of both parties and submissions by R. Johnson Esq. for the Bank of Sierra Leone and A. S. A. Benjamin Esq. for the Right to Access Information Commission, the High Court presided over by Justice Adrian Fisher delivered its ruling, upholding RAIC’s order and actions. Key highlights of the judgment include:
- The Court refused to quash the Commission’s Order and affirmed the Bank’s non-compliance with the Act;
- The Court denied the Bank’s claim that it had met its legal obligations under the FOI law;
- While the Court reduced the fine from Le 70,000,000 to NLe 40,000, it rejected the Bank’s attempt to nullify the penalty;
- The injunction sought to restrain enforcement of the fine was also refused.
Reacting to the court ruling, RAIC’s Chairman and Information Commissioner Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw said: “This ruling sends a clear message that public institutions must take their legal obligations seriously under the Right to Access Information Act. It is a victory for transparency, freedom of information, and the rule of law in Sierra Leone.”
The RAIC CIC added that he appreciates the work of the Judiciary in enhancing the compliance to the RAI law, despite the delay in delivering the landmark judgement, and urges all public paAuthorities to comply with its obligations in the RAI Act of 2013.
