NIB Orders Sierra Leone Bar Association to Publish Membership Names

NIB Orders Sierra Leone Bar Association to Publish Membership Names

The National Investment Board (NIB) has mandated that the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) proceed with its Annual General Meeting (AGM) as scheduled for June 5–6, 2026, in Lungi, Port Loko District. This decision follows an urgent intervention prompted by an executive notice that had indefinitely postponed the gathering.

The NIB ruled that the attempted postponement breached both the Companies Act, 2009, and the SLBA’s Articles of Association. The Board cited a statutory backlog, noting that the association has failed to file annual returns or present audited accounts since its last AGM in May 2024.

The NIB warned that the indefinite delay risked creating a governance vacuum and improperly extending the tenure of incumbent directors, thereby harming members who had already committed to travel and attendance.

To restore accountability, the NIB issued binding directives for the AGM:

• Independent Oversight: An independent Returning Officer and observers must be appointed to ensure the integrity of the election process.

• Mandatory Agenda: The meeting must include the presentation of audited accounts, the appointment of auditors, and the election of new executive officers.

• Operational Requirements: The SLBA is required to publish an updated register of eligible members.

  
  

The Board further advised that any member facing attempts to frustrate the meeting—such as quorum disputes—may petition the High Court for relief.

This directive, which was formally shared with the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, marks a decisive turning point for the association's leadership and governance standards.