APC Politician Fined Le10 Million for Contempt of Court
A political figure has been penalized for breaching a judicial order, a case in point of the judiciary's firm stance on enforcing compliance regardless of political affiliation.
Mohamed Pope Kamara, the former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All People’s Congress (APC), was ordered by a court to pay a Le10 million fine in old Leones or serve 14 days in prison after being found in contempt of court. In addition to the monetary penalty, the judge imposed a 60-day media ban, barring Kamara from engaging with the press.
The contempt charge stems from an existing court injunction that explicitly prohibited specific individuals from presenting themselves as APC executive members, conducting party executive duties, or attending official leadership meetings. Despite the clear restriction, video evidence and public media statements presented during proceedings showed Kamara continuing to publicly claim the title of Deputy National Publicity Secretary.
During the hearing, the presiding judge noted that a thorough review of published interview recordings and news articles confirmed the breach. The court highlighted that if Kamara had chosen to contest the statements, it would have prompted a full evidentiary hearing involving media witnesses.
Facing the evidence, Kamara offered a formal apology to the court, expressing deep regret and admitting his mistake. His legal team also pointed to subsequent actions taken to remove the offending interview videos from online platforms as a demonstration of genuine remorse.
Acknowledging these mitigation efforts, the judge revealed that the original sanction was set at Le30 million in old Leones before being reduced to Le10 million. However, the judge emphasized that public apologies alone could not excuse deliberate non-compliance with court rulings.
Counsel Suliman Kabba Koroma supported the sentence, buttressing before the bench that both public figures and legal practitioners must adhere strictly to judicial authority to maintain the rule of law.
The ruling delivers a stern message that judicial directives apply universally across Sierra Leone's political landscape, regardless of an individual's status or political standing.
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