A damning investigative report by a committee led by Hon. Justice Glenna Thompson JSC, alongside Justices Monfred Sesay JA and Fatmata Bintu Alhadi JA, has uncovered serious allegations of misconduct against Dr. Denis Sandy, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Works, in connection to a fraudulent “Divorce Certificate.” The investigation, initiated on January 23, 2025, by the Honourable Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, reveals systemic failings and implicates Dr. Sandy in a scheme involving fake court orders.
The report centers on a purported “Decree Absolute” listing Dr. Sandy as the petitioner, his wife Mary Kai Sandy as the respondent, and James Bangura as the co-respondent. The document, allegedly signed by Deputy Master and Registrar Lansana Kotor Kamara, was found to be fictitious, with no corresponding record in the judiciary’s Cause Book, petition register, or assignment book. Dr. Sandy is accused of actively participating in this fraudulent act, relying on the fake order to claim a divorce despite not filing any petition, hiring a lawyer, or appearing in court.
Key allegations against Dr. Sandy include his questionable involvement with a man named Magnus Coker, whom he claims facilitated the divorce process without legal proceedings. Dr. Sandy admitted to providing Coker with personal details but took no steps to verify the process, despite being an educated cabinet minister. The committee found his testimony inconsistent and unreliable, noting that he provided conflicting reasons for visiting the Master and Registrar—ranging from verifying the document to a casual visit. His actions, including pleading for leniency on behalf of judicial officer Kamanda Joel Kamara, suggest he was aware of the irregularities but prioritized a discreet divorce over legality, showing a “cavalier approach” to the rule of law.
The investigation also revealed that Dr. Sandy sent a snapshot of the fraudulent decree to his wife via WhatsApp in December 2024, but she did not respond. He only sought verification after the Master and Registrar began inquiring about the file, indicating an attempt to avoid scrutiny. The committee concluded that Dr. Sandy’s role in the fraud warrants referral to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.
The report further exposed systemic issues within the judiciary, including other fictitious orders and forged signatures, implicating judicial officers like Lansana Kotor Kamara and Kamanda Joel Kamara. The committee recommends expunging all fraudulent orders, including Dr. Sandy’s, and calls for an external review of the judiciary’s systems to restore public confidence.
Key Quotes from the Investigative Report
On the Fraudulent Nature of Dr. Sandy’s Divorce Order
“The Committee concluded that the order is fictitious and a fraud. The order should be expunged from the records.” (Paragraph 88)
Dr. Sandy’s Active Participation in the Fraud
“The Committee recommends that Dr Denis Moinina Sandy as an active participant in this fraudulent act, be reported to the relevant authorities including the Anti-Corruption Commission.” (Paragraph 89)
Dr. Sandy’s Disregard for Legal Processes
“It is inconceivable that he did not know that about the irregularities in the process used to obtain his ‘divorce’ but it seems that his desire to obtain a divorce that did not attract publicity was so great that the legality of the process was not a concern for him.” (Paragraph 59)
Inconsistency in Dr. Sandy’s Testimony
“Dr. Sandy’s testimony was inconsistent and implausible. We found him to be an unimpressive and unreliable witness who viewed the truth as a fluid concept that could be moulded to fit his current needs.”(Paragraph 60)
Dr. Sandy’s Delayed Verification of the Fraudulent Order
“Dr. Sandy had possession of the purported order for over a month yet did not consider verifying its authenticity until the Master requested the file. That could only be because he had been informed of the interest in the order and wished to avoid proper scrutiny of it.” (Paragraph 64)
Dr. Sandy’s Lack of Due Diligence Despite His Background
“Dr. Sandy is an educated man with a doctorate degree and a long history as a lecturer. He is also a cabinet minister and one would assume that he possessed the most rudimentary knowledge of dissolving a marriage. One does not need a law degree to know that a lawyer needs to be consulted and that one does not rely on a random character’s assurances that he can ‘fix it.’” (Paragraph 57)
Dr. Sandy’s Suspicious Behavior and Lack of Concern for Legality
“Indeed, he had no qualms in telling the Committee about some supposed phone call he had received but did not think twice about making a phone call in our presence, thereby evincing a cavalier approach and lack of respect for the rule of law.” (Paragraph 59)
Dr. Sandy’s Conflicting Explanations for His Actions
“Dr. Sandy provided three different explanations for visiting the Master and Registrar on the 21st January 2025. Initially, he claimed he went to verify the document. Then he said he visited to surprise her, as she had applied for a government quarter. Later, he claimed he had a ‘tenacity to move around’ and simply came to visit.” (Paragraph 60)
Systemic Failings in the Judiciary
“The Committee was compelled to conclude that there are systemic failings within the judiciary which have allowed dishonest individuals to produce fake Court Orders. It is clear that the fraud taking place within the judiciary involves more than one individual and involves others that are yet to be identified.”(Paragraph 86)
Impact on Judicial Integrity
“It is also clear that these fake orders are being used to deceive individuals and institutions and that the abuse strikes at the heart of the integrity of the judicial system.” (Paragraph 86)
Recommendation for Systemic Reform
“That independent, external and competent Court management experts be invited to review and reform the systems and processes of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone.” (Paragraph 96).
SierraEye will continue to monitor developments in this case.
