SLBA PRO Kamanda Accuses Government of Interference After AGM Disruption

Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) Public Relations Officer (PRO) Alfred Kamanda Esq. has accused the government of interfering in the Association’s electoral process following the disruption of its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The AGM was scheduled to take place at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, where members of the legal profession were expected to gather to conduct official proceedings and hold leadership elections.

However, proceedings were disrupted after several lawyers encountered difficulties accessing the conference hall, preventing the meeting from proceeding as scheduled.

Speaking to Truth Media, Kamanda, who is also a member of the SLBA Executive, said he and other members were denied entry into the venue despite being expected to participate in the AGM.

He alleged that the restriction was influenced by external actors, claiming that there was an attempt to ensure the victory of presidential candidate Martina Baindu Egbenda “at all costs.”

“There’s an order from above that we should not access the hall,” Kamanda said.

He added: “If this is what you want, Mr Government, for Martina Baindu Egbenda at all costs, then do it.”

Kamanda described the situation as unacceptable, arguing that preventing lawyers from accessing the venue raises concerns about the independence of the Bar Association and the credibility of its electoral process.

He questioned the circumstances surrounding the decision to restrict access, saying the development was wrong and should not have occurred.

The SLBA PRO’s comments followed the disruption of the AGM at the Bintumani Conference Centre, leaving members awaiting further communication on the next steps.