Freetown, Sierra Leone – May 26, 2026 – The Government of Sierra Leone has officially announced the appointment of Mr. Osman I. Kanu Esq. (also known as Osman Ibrahim Kanu) as the new Solicitor General.
According to a Public Notice issued today from the Office of the President at State House, His Excellency President Brigadier General (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio has approved the appointment, subject to the approval of Parliament where applicable.
The notice, signed by Barba B. Fortune, Secretary to the President, states:
“The General Public is hereby informed that it has pleased His Excellency the President… to announce the following appointment… Mr. Osman I. Kanu Esq. – Solicitor General.”
Mr. Kanu is a highly experienced legal practitioner with a distinguished career in public service and litigation. A graduate of the University of London and the Inner Temple of England, he was also trained at the Sierra Leone Law School.
He has served in the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice since 2005, accumulating over two decades of experience representing the economic, security, and legal interests of the Government of Sierra Leone.
Prior to this new appointment, Mr. Kanu served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) since his appointment in July 2023. In that role, he led high-profile prosecutions, appeared before superior courts in Sierra Leone, and represented the state before the ECOWAS Court of Justice. He previously headed the Civil and Commercial Division in the Law Officers’ Department, where he managed complex negotiations, litigations, and arbitrations.
Mr. Kanu is recognized for his expertise in both domestic and international legal practice, including familiarity with procedural rules of major arbitration institutions such as the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and ICSID. He is bilingual in English and French.
The document bears the official seal of the Office of the President and is dated 26th May, 2026.
This strategic appointment places Mr. Kanu in one of the top legal positions in the country, where the Solicitor General serves as the principal legal advisor to the government and represents the state in major civil, constitutional, and international matters.
Further details on the effective date and transition are expected from the Attorney-General’s Ministry.
