Supreme Court Clears Path for Key Constitutional Hearing
The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone has cleared a major legal hurdle in the ongoing constitutional dispute over the country’s amendment process, dismissing an application that sought to halt proceedings on jurisdictional grounds.
Chief Justice Komba Kamanda struck out the defendant’s motion contesting the court's authority, ordering that the case proceed directly to its substantive merits. The decision keeps the high-profile case active and focuses judicial attention on core constitutional interpretation.
In a firm directive to counsel, Chief Justice Kamanda signaled that the bench will not entertain further preliminary motions. He emphasized that all remaining arguments must be presented during the main trial to ensure a swift resolution in what he described as a matter of national significance.
At the center of the dispute is the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, specifically the interpretation of Section 108(2)(b). The court must determine whether the required two-thirds parliamentary majority applies to the entire 149-member body—setting a threshold of 100 votes—or merely to members present and voting during the session.
Legal observers note that the ruling carries implications far beyond the immediate bill. The outcome will establish a binding precedent for how statutory thresholds are calculated for all future constitutional amendments in Sierra Leone.
While the dismissal of the jurisdictional challenge does not signal how the justices will ultimately rule, it opens the door for a full examination of the constitutional text.
The upcoming substantive hearings are expected to subject the parliamentary process to intense judicial scrutiny as competing legal teams present their arguments.
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