Freetown, Monday 14 September 2026 – President Julius Maada Bio has referred a petition challenging the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion, citing the need for constitutional clarity and broad national consensus on a matter of profound national importance.
According to an official press release from State House issued today, His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio received the Bill, titled “The Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2026,” from the Clerk of Parliament on 10 September 2026 for Presidential Assent.
Earlier, on 4 September 2026, the President received a petition from the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) raising constitutional questions about the passage of the Bill by Parliament.
The President has also closely followed the public debates and the differing views expressed both for and against the legislation.
In the release, the Presidency stated that the passage of such an important Bill, which touches on the constitutional and democratic foundations of the Republic, “requires broad national consensus and must be underpinned by constitutional clarity, in order to inspire citizens’ trust and confidence in Sierra Leone’s constitutional review process.”
Accordingly, pursuant to Section 122(1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, the President has directed that the petition concerning the Bill be referred to the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone for a judicial opinion.
He has mandated the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to facilitate the referral.
The Clerk of Parliament has been notified that if the judicial opinion is not received from the Supreme Court within fourteen days from the presentation of the Bill, the President’s final decision on the Bill will be communicated to Parliament at the earliest opportunity once the opinion is received.
The release describes the move as an “unprecedented step” that reflects the President’s commitment to handling matters of profound national importance with due diligence, transparency and fidelity to the Constitution.
