Human Rights Group CHRDI Questions Judiciary’s New Drug Sentencing Guidelines

The Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Integrity (CHRDI) has expressed serious concerns over a new practice direction issued by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone on 1 December 2025, warning that it conflicts with the 1991 Constitution, the Criminal Procedure Act of 2024 (CPA), and the National Drugs Control Act (NDCA) of 2008.

In a statement, CHRDI emphasized that the judiciary is a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law, tasked with upholding legislation, protecting individual rights, and ensuring checks on executive power. The organization cautioned that the new directive undermines these principles by restricting judges from exercising powers granted to them by Parliament.

Under the NDCA 2008, section 7 allows judges to impose life imprisonment for certain offences, while section 8 mandates a minimum of five years for specific convictions. Section 14 provides for suspended sentences for first-time offenders. However, according to CHRDI, the recent directive limits judges’ discretion, effectively making them subject to judicial dictates rather than the law.

Similarly, section 76 of the CPA 2024 permits bail even in cases of murder and treason, with provisions for prosecution objections through affidavits. CHRDI noted that the new direction disregards these statutory provisions, raising concerns about judicial independence and adherence to established laws.

The organization also highlighted the broader societal implications of such directives, citing potential prison overcrowding and the economic and security challenges of imposing excessively long custodial sentences.

While welcoming the government’s efforts to combat drug offences, CHRDI stressed that these measures must operate within the legal framework and not rely on sensationalist or headline-grabbing directives that could compromise justice.

“At all times, the judiciary should promote fairness and justice. Emotional considerations should not guide judicial decisions,” the statement read.

CHRDI called on the judiciary to ensure that its directives align with existing legislation, protect judicial independence, and serve the interests of justice.