Court of Appeal Session in Makeni Concludes with Seven Judgments

Court of Appeal Session in Makeni Concludes with Seven Judgments

The Court of Appeal concluded a landmark week-long session in Makeni, Bombali District, on 22 July 2026, marking a significant advancement in the judiciary's decentralization efforts. For the first time, the appellate court successfully delivered seven judgments outside of Freetown.

The panel, presided over by Supreme Court Judge Honourable Justice Abdulai M. Bangurah—sitting alongside Justices Jamesina J. King, Michael P. Mami, and Aiah Simeon Allieu—adjudicated a variety of legal matters, including land ownership disputes and divorce cases, and granted an urgent application for a stay.

This initiative aligns with the strategic vision of Chief Justice Komba Kamanda to bring appellate justice closer to citizens across the provinces. The move has been lauded by litigants, including one who requested anonymity, as a vital step in making the justice system more accessible to ordinary citizens. 

By holding sessions in the provinces, the Judiciary has spared many litigants the significant financial and logistical burdens previously associated with traveling to Freetown to pursue their appeals.

Funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone with support from the national government, the Makeni sitting demonstrates a broader commitment to strengthening the administration of justice nationwide and ensuring that appellate services are available to all citizens.