MAKENI, Sierra Leone — In a landmark move to bring justice closer to the people, the Court of Appeal of Sierra Leone delivered seven judgments during a week-long provincial sitting in Makeni City, marking a significant step in the Judiciary’s decentralisation drive.
The sittings concluded on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. The Court also heard and granted an urgent application for a stay of execution after considering arguments from counsel.
The development is being hailed as a major milestone in efforts to make appellate justice more accessible to litigants outside Freetown, particularly those in the Northern Region who often face high travel costs and logistical difficulties when pursuing cases in the capital.
The panel was presided over by Honourable Justice Abdulai M. Bangurah of the Supreme Court, sitting with Honourable Justice Jamesina J. King, JA; Honourable Justice Michael P. Mami, JA; and Honourable Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu, JA.
During the session, the Court disposed of appeals covering various civil matters, including divorce proceedings and land ownership disputes.
The Makeni sitting forms part of Chief Justice Komba Kamanda’s broader vision to extend appellate court sessions beyond Freetown and improve access to justice nationwide.
For many litigants, the initiative is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden and inconvenience of travelling to the capital, while also helping to reduce case backlogs by determining matters closer to their communities of origin.
One appellant, who wished to remain anonymous, praised the Judiciary for the provincial sitting.
“Justice should be accessible to all,” the appellant said, adding that the Makeni exercise was a practical demonstration of that principle. The litigant also expressed appreciation for Chief Justice Komba Kamanda’s leadership in judicial reform.
The week-long provincial sitting was fully funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, with support from the Government of Sierra Leone.
The successful conclusion of the Makeni session is expected to boost public confidence in the justice system and pave the way for more regular provincial appellate sittings across the country.
By decentralising appellate proceedings, the Judiciary is addressing long-standing challenges posed by geographical distance and the cost of litigation, making the justice system more inclusive and responsive to the needs of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
