Basita Michael Questions Police “Orders From Above” Explanation Over SLBA Disruption

Lawyer Basita Michael has criticised the Sierra Leone Police’s explanation that officers acted on “orders from above” during the disruption of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) Annual General Meeting, arguing that constitutional rights can only be restricted through lawful authority.

Michael said claims that the police acted based on security concerns contradict the explanation given by senior officers at the scene, who she said cited “orders from above” and “circumstances beyond their control.”

She questioned why legal justifications were being developed after the incident when, according to her, the police did not initially provide any constitutional or statutory basis for stopping the meeting.

Michael warned that the incident raises broader concerns about executive authority, constitutional limits, and the rule of law, especially as Parliament continues discussions on constitutional reforms.

She argued that reliance on state security institutions to interfere with professional bodies could undermine public confidence in commitments to meaningful constitutional reform.