The Resident Minister of the North–West Region, Ambassador Dr Umaru Bundu Wurrie, has urged Local Court Officials in Port Loko District to remain steadfast and maintain their integrity in the face of numerous challenges.
This call came during a recent engagement held at the Resident Minister’s Conference Room in Port Loko, organised by Senior District Officer (SDO) Ishaka Turay, following directives from the Ministry of Local Government. The primary objective was to address the roles and challenges faced by local court officials and bring much-needed clarity to their operations.
The engagement follows increasing concerns about the disarray within local court operations across Sierra Leone. There is a lack of clarity regarding which government ministry oversees local court officials. Although these officials are integral to the local governance structure, many have expressed confusion about whether the Ministry of Local Government or the Judiciary is their supervisory body. This longstanding ambiguity has negatively impacted the functionality of local courts, leading to a strained relationship between local court chairpersons and Paramount Chiefs.
For over a decade, the roles and responsibilities of local court officials have remained murky, allowing instances of misconduct and inefficiency. In some cases, Paramount Chiefs have exercised undue influence by appointing or removing local court chairpersons at will, while court officials have been accused of levying excessive fines and detaining individuals unlawfully. These issues have contributed to the near collapse of the local court governance system, with local court officials left without regular salaries or adequate logistical support and many Chiefdom Police Officers unable to obtain uniforms.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, the Ministry of Local Government initiated an intervention, directing District Officers to engage with local court representatives to assess their challenges and improve relations between Paramount Chiefs and local court officials. The engagement in Port Loko saw a large turnout, with all categories of local court officials, including bailiffs, in attendance.
During the session, citizens raised numerous grievances. Many officials reported not receiving formal appointment letters for over a decade and were left without training or logistical support. Some also expressed concerns about the involvement of the Legal Aid Board, which was accused of overstepping its boundaries and interfering in the operations of local courts in Port Loko.
SDO Ishaka Turay provided historical context to the prevailing issues, explaining that the Local Court System had originally been under the supervision of the Ministry of Local Government. This role shifted to the Judiciary in 2011 following the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) recommendations. However, since that transition, the Judiciary still needs to fully implement the necessary provisions, including recruiting and paying local court staff.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Dr. Wurrie emphasised the importance of the local court system in maintaining law and order in Sierra Leone. He expressed his regret that such a vital institution had been allowed to deteriorate. He urged court officials to avoid unjustifiably delaying cases or adopting a “pay yourself” approach to justice. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” he reminded them, urging a return to fairness and transparency in their duties.
The meeting concluded with assurances that the concerns raised would be conveyed to the relevant authorities for appropriate action. Clarifications were also made regarding operational procedures, including court appearance timelines, the duration of detentions, and the necessity of providing bail free of charge.
This engagement signals a critical step toward restoring confidence in Sierra Leone’s local court system and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and efficiently.
Credit: Hassan Bruz, SLENA Correspondent
