The Sierra Leone Police have blocked the entrance to New Brookfields Hotel, preventing lawyers from attending an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA).
The meeting, organized by Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah and Wara Serry-Kamal, was later shifted to a virtual format.
The organizers posted on social media: “Our Learned Colleagues, if you haven’t made it to New Brookfields Hotel for the Extraordinary General Meeting rescheduled for today at 2pm, please stay where you are. There is heavy police presence here, and they’re not allowing anyone to access the premises of the hotel. We’re proceeding with the meeting virtually. We will share links in about 15 minutes from the stated start time.”
In related developments, Paul Suffield, Executive Director of Hilltop Hotels Group (New Brookfields Hotel), addressed a letter from Alfred Kamanda dated July 10, 2024.
Kamanda had requested the hotel to prohibit the SLBA meeting, citing that the announcement was “unlawful, unprocedural, and illegal” and made without legal authority.
Suffield’s response noted that the hotel was unaware of any disputes regarding the event’s legitimacy when the booking was made. He stated that the hotel had entered into a valid agreement with the event organizers and only learned of the legal issues upon receiving Kamanda’s letter on July 9, 2024.
The hotel’s management has sought legal advice and was informed that a court injunction would be necessary to halt the meeting. The letter requests that the SLBA provide a court injunction by 2 PM on July 10, 2024, to legally justify the event’s cancellation.
On 18 May 2024, Tuma Adama Gento Jabbi was elected as the new President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) during the AGM held in Kenema.Garnering a substantial majority, Jabbi secured 506 votes, vastly outpacing her competitors Wara Serry Kamal, who received 23 votes, and Augustine S. Marrah, who garnered 15 votes.
The results however sparked significant controversy and condemnation from prominent legal figures.
Augustine S. Marrah, Wara Serry-Kamal, and Julian Cole issued a joint statement denouncing the events at the AGM, citing severe breaches of democratic principles, transparency, and integrity.
“The actions and inactions of the Board of Directors at this AGM, which have led to a declaration of a purported executive that was not duly elected, are not only illegal but also deeply troubling,” stated the joint declaration.
