FREETOWN, 24 October 2026 – The provisional list of eligible voters for Monday’s Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) elections does not include outgoing President Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, former Public Relations Officer Alfred Kamanda, and other members of the past executive.
The 429-name list was published on 22nd October 2026 by the Caretaker Body Chairman, Osman I. Kanu Esq., with a notice stating that the list complies with the SLBA Memorandum and Articles of Association and a High Court Order dated 23rd July 2026.
The Caretaker Body has given members until 5:00 pm today, Saturday 24th October, to check their details at the Bar Secretariat and report any omission, duplication or error before the final register is issued.
The omission means that Mrs. Gento-Kamara, who was seeking a second term, may not be able to vote or stand, while her challenger, Administrator and Registrar-General Martina Baindu Egbenda, who appears at number 264 on the list, could emerge as the sole candidate for President.
Single Payment Rule and Court Order
According to a notice signed by Caretaker Body Secretary Menisa Sesay Esq. on 2nd October, only members who paid their conference and subscription fees on or before 29th May 2026, and who hold a bank slip as proof, are eligible “to vote and be voted for.”
This rule stems from the High Court Order issued by Justice Mark Ngegba on 23rd July 2026 in a matter filed by lawyer Ebunoluwa Tengbeh against the SLBA, its then executive and Rokel Commercial Bank. The judge ordered the executive to publish a verified list of fully paid-up members, accept only original bank slips for payments made on or before 29th May 2026, and conduct the election strictly under the Memorandum and Articles. He also ordered the release of audited accounts and bank statements covering 1st May 2024 to 1st June 2026.
Because the same payment test governs both voting and candidacy, Mrs. Gento-Kamara and others whose names are not on the provisional list will neither vote nor stand on Monday unless added during verification.
SierraEye checks show that besides Mrs. Gento-Kamara and Mr. Kamanda, the list also omits Vice President Sidique Tommy, General Secretary Alfred Paul Juwah, Treasurer Sotto Kobba and Assistant Treasurer Yoko Mahiteh Brewah.
The 429 names are significantly below the 572 ballots cast at the disputed Kenema AGM in May 2024, when the Association reported 1,200 registered voters.
Judiciary Declares Recess for AGM
The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has declared a recess on Monday 26th October 2026 for the High Court and Magistrates’ Courts nationwide to allow lawyers to attend the SLBA Annual General Meeting 2026. Deputy Master and Registrar Hulaimatu F. Christian-Moses signed the notice on 23rd October. Court registries and other support offices will remain open.
The AGM and elections are scheduled for 3:00 pm on Monday at the Freetown International Conference Centre, Bintumani, Aberdeen.
Seven positions are up for grabs: President, Vice President, General Secretary, Assistant Secretary General, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer and Public Relations Officer. Nominations will be received at the meeting itself.
Background
Mrs. Gento-Kamara won the presidency at the disputed Kenema AGM in May 2024 with 506 votes against 23 for Wara Serry-Kamal and 15 for Augustine S. Marrah. Both rivals rejected the result.
She was seeking a second term in 2026 against Ms. Egbenda. After the Association postponed the June poll, Attorney-General Alpha Sesay, as Titular Head of the Bar, issued directives on the delayed AGM, which the executive rejected as ceremonial.
On 31st July 2026, police blocked members from entering the Bintumani Conference Centre and the AGM collapsed. Mr. Kamanda broke down in tears before TV cameras and later resigned as PRO.
On 5th August, the West African Bar Association accused the Government of interfering in the SLBA’s affairs. The next day, the Attorney-General presided over an Extraordinary General Meeting where members elected a five-member Caretaker Body led by Osman Ibrahim Kanu Esq., to which Mrs. Gento-Kamara handed over leadership.
