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Hindovel Tucker made an impressive debut for Star Sport Academy yesterday, scoring in the club’s 2–0 friendly victory over Waterloo FC at the Kenema Field. The on-loan signing marked his first appearance for Star Sport Academy with the second goal in the 23rd minute, putting in a confident display as the club steps up preparations for its upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Champions League campaign. Tucker’s debut comes at an important stage for Star Sport Academy, who are preparing to represent Sierra Leone in continental competition after finishing runners-up in the 2025/26 Leone Rock Premier League. The club has been drawn against Gambian champions Medina United in the preliminary round of the CAF Champions League, with the first leg scheduled to take place in Sierra Leone between September 4 and 6. Tucker will now look to build chemistry with his new teammates, improve his match fitness and make a meaningful contribution as Star Sport Academy prepare for their continental campaign. His goal on debut provides an encouraging start to his loan spell and gives him an early boost as the club continues its preparations for the Champions League.

The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has formally entered a transitional phase following the handover of its administrative responsibilities to a newly appointed caretaker body. The transition marks a significant step towards restoring stability within the legal profession after weeks of internal disagreements and uncertainty over the governance of the association. During a formal handover ceremony, outgoing SLBA President Tuma Adama Jabbie transferred operational responsibilities to the newly constituted caretaker leadership. Addressing members of the Bar, Jabbie stressed that the caretaker arrangement is strictly temporary and is intended to provide administrative continuity while the association works towards restoring its normal governance structure. She clarified that the caretaker body does not replace or override the democratic processes of the association, emphasising that the election of permanent executive leadership must ultimately be determined through formal elections. The caretaker body’s primary responsibility will be to oversee the day-to-day affairs of the association while preparing the necessary groundwork for free, fair and transparent executive elections. The transitional arrangement is expected to provide the association with an opportunity to address outstanding governance issues, ease internal tensions and rebuild confidence among members of the legal profession. The handover is therefore being viewed as an important step towards preserving institutional continuity while creating the conditions for the return of a fully elected leadership. The caretaker leadership is expected to focus on maintaining the association’s operations during the transition and facilitating the process towards democratic elections that will establish its next permanent executive.

The National Sports Authority (NSA) has held discussions with Scottish football giants Celtic FC over a proposed partnership aimed at strengthening football development in Sierra Leone. The proposed collaboration would focus on youth player development, elite training programmes, coach education, technical support and creating pathways for promising young Sierra Leonean players to train in Scotland. The partnership could also facilitate opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth teams to travel to Glasgow for training sessions, competitive matches and broader football development experiences. NSA Chief Mohamed Alphaka Conteh said the outcome of the engagement will be presented to the Minister of Sports for further consultation, with the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) expected to play a key role in the implementation of any eventual agreement. Celtic FC International Soccer Academy Manager Jose Romero expressed the club’s willingness to work with the NSA in supporting the development of sports and football in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leonean side Star Sport Academy have been drawn against Gambian champions Medina United in the preliminary round of the 2026/27 CAF Champions League. Star Sport Academy, who finished as runners-up in the just-concluded Leone Rock Premier League 2025/26 season, will begin their continental campaign at home. The first leg is scheduled to take place in Sierra Leone between 4 and 6 September 2026, giving the Sierra Leonean side the opportunity to secure an advantage before travelling to The Gambia for the return fixture. The second leg will be played between 11 and 13 September 2026, with Star Sport Academy aiming to secure a positive result and progress to the next stage of Africa’s premier club competition. The club earned its place in the Champions League after an impressive domestic campaign that saw them finish second behind champions Bo Rangers. The upcoming tie against Medina United will mark an important test for Star Sport Academy as they make their entry onto the continental stage. With home advantage in the opening leg, the Sierra Leonean club will be looking to make a strong start before the decisive return encounter in The Gambia. The two-legged contest will also provide Star Sport Academy with an opportunity to showcase the quality of Sierra Leonean club football at the continental level and push for progression in the competition.

The Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security has invited all recruitment agencies to a compliance meeting aimed at strengthening adherence to Sierra Leone’s labour laws and international labour standards. The meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 13 August 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Ministry’s Conference Room in New England Ville, Freetown. According to a public notice issued on 6 August 2026, the engagement will focus on the implementation of International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 181 on Private Employment Agencies and Regulations 49 to 60 of the Employment Regulations, 2023, which govern the establishment, operation and management of recruitment agencies. The Ministry said the meeting will address key issues surrounding recruitment practices and provide agencies with guidance on the regulatory requirements they must meet to continue operating within Sierra Leone’s legal framework. The engagement forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to improve labour administration, promote responsible recruitment practices and ensure greater protection for both workers and employers. All recruitment agencies have been urged to attend and participate fully as the Ministry strengthens compliance and accountability within the employment sector.

Proceedings in the alleged container theft case involving ten accused persons took a procedural turn on Thursday after the prosecution and defence disagreed over the service of legal notices before Pademba Road Court No.1. The accused, including Abu Bakarr Kabba Mansaray and Ibrahim Ahmed Kargbo, are facing charges of conspiracy, theft, forgery, and obstructing justice in connection with the alleged theft of a shipping container at Queen Elizabeth II Quay. The matter, presided over by Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah, was adjourned to 13 August 2026 to allow the defence to prepare its witnesses and both parties to comply with procedural requirements. During the proceedings, State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay, Esq., argued that the defence had served only a notice of intention to cross-examine witnesses rather than a formal application as required under the Criminal Procedure Act 2024. He submitted that the court should ensure compliance with the relevant legal provisions before the matter proceeds. In response, defence counsel maintained that the notice had been properly served and was sufficient to indicate their intention to cross-examine witnesses. They argued that the prosecution’s interpretation was overly technical and urged the court to allow the matter to proceed in accordance with the rules of procedure. Magistrate Jah did not immediately rule on the procedural dispute but adjourned the matter to enable both sides to file the necessary notices and documents. The adjournment also allows the defence time to prepare its witnesses after the prosecution indicated its intention to cross-examine them. The accused persons are facing allegations of conspiracy to steal a shipping container, forging staff identification cards, and interfering with evidence during an ongoing police investigation. The matter is expected to resume on 13 August 2026.

Sierra Leone has signed its first Host Country Agreements with six international non-governmental organisations (INGOs), establishing a legal and institutional framework to strengthen partnerships between the Government and humanitarian organisations operating in the country. The agreements, signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba following Cabinet approval of the new Host Country Agreement policy, cover Catholic Relief Services (CRS), World Vision, Plan International, Partners In Health, ChildFund, and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). The signing was witnessed by Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay. Minister Kabba said the agreements will enhance cooperation, provide greater clarity for NGO operations, and reinforce collaboration in delivering programmes in healthcare, education, food security, humanitarian assistance, and other key development sectors. He added that the initiative reflects the Government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that support Sierra Leone’s long-term development agenda.

President Julius Maada Bio has received the 2025 Annual Report and 2026–2030 Strategic Plan of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), reaffirming the importance of dialogue, reconciliation, and unity in Sierra Leone’s development. The documents were presented at State House, Freetown, by ICPNC Executive Secretary Madam Hawa Samai and Board representatives. Samai highlighted the Commission’s work in promoting mediation, conflict prevention, and trust-building over the past five years. She said ICPNC interventions have strengthened public confidence through dialogue, including support to the National Unity Agreement, while noting Sierra Leone’s continued eligibility for support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund as recognition of its peacebuilding efforts. Receiving the reports, President Bio commended the Commission for its role in promoting peace and national cohesion, describing its work as critical to national development. He said the establishment of ICPNC fulfilled a key recommendation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report and reaffirmed his government’s support for efforts to strengthen dialogue, reconciliation, and peaceful conflict resolution across the country.

SLPP National Secretary General Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally has said Sierra Leone’s 2028 general elections will be conducted under the Proportional Representation (PR) system if electoral constituencies are not established on time. Speaking on Truth Media, Tarawally cited Section 38A of the Constitution, which provides for a district block representation system if constituencies cannot be delineated before an election. He argued that constituency delimitation must be completed within the legally required timeframe and cannot be done shortly before elections, adding that a census does not automatically create electoral constituencies. Tarawally maintained that regardless of ongoing constitutional amendment discussions, PR would remain the likely option under the circumstances he outlined. His comments come amid ongoing debate over Sierra Leone’s electoral system, constitutional reforms, and preparations for the 2028 general elections.

In a decisive move toward modernizing the nation’s football landscape, Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President Babadi Kamara personally inspected the final stages of a state-of-the-art pavilion at the Association’s Technical Centre this week. The new 435-seat facility is nearing its grand unveiling, with recent progress centered on the installation of premium spectator seating. During the walkthrough, President Kamara emphasized the need for uncompromising quality, urging the project team to deliver a world-class arena that honors the spirit of the game in Sierra Leone. A testament to his hands-on leadership, the project—valued at over US$250,000—is a direct personal contribution from Kamara. This significant investment aims to transform the match-day experience for players, officials, and fans alike, turning the Technical Centre into a premier hub for elite training and competitive play. “Our goal is to build more than just walls and seats; we are building a future for our athletes,” sources close to the project noted. Once operational, the pavilion will provide high-standard accommodation for guests and a sophisticated environment for the country's rising football stars. This initiative is just one pillar of Kamara’s nationwide infrastructure blitz. His commitment to the sport is further evidenced by his recent US$95,000 funding for perimeter fencing and dressing-room rehabilitations at Wusum Field in Makeni. As these modern facilities take shape, Sierra Leone is positioning itself for a long-term footballing renaissance, ensuring that from the grassroots to the professional level, the nation has the foundation to compete on the global stage.

Lawyer Basita Michael has criticised the Sierra Leone Police’s explanation that officers acted on “orders from above” during the disruption of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) Annual General Meeting, arguing that constitutional rights can only be restricted through lawful authority. Michael said claims that the police acted based on security concerns contradict the explanation given by senior officers at the scene, who she said cited “orders from above” and “circumstances beyond their control.” She questioned why legal justifications were being developed after the incident when, according to her, the police did not initially provide any constitutional or statutory basis for stopping the meeting. Michael warned that the incident raises broader concerns about executive authority, constitutional limits, and the rule of law, especially as Parliament continues discussions on constitutional reforms. She argued that reliance on state security institutions to interfere with professional bodies could undermine public confidence in commitments to meaningful constitutional reform.

Police have accused Admire Frances Bio Jalloh and her husband, Dauda Jalloh alias Alhaji Dausy, of allegedly orchestrating a $210,000 gold fraud scheme involving two foreign nationals. The allegations emerged during witness testimony at Pademba Road Court No.1, where Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah adjourned proceedings on an eleven-count charge including conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by false pretences, conspiracy to commit robbery, money laundering, receiving and uttering forged documents, illegal sale of minerals, and tax evasion. According to the prosecution, the accused persons allegedly committed the offences between August 10 and 14, 2025, at #1 Daj Drive, Mile 13, Freetown Peninsula, where they reportedly targeted foreign nationals Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa. The prosecution alleges that the defendants falsely represented that they were operating a legitimate gold business under the name GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited and claimed they had the capacity and licence to sell three kilograms of gold. It was further alleged that the accused obtained $100,000 and $110,000 from the victims under false pretences, after allegedly convincing them to invest in the gold transaction. The prosecution also claimed that the defendants obtained an additional $15,000 after allegedly promising to pay export taxes for the gold. They are further accused of conspiring at Milton Margai College Drive, Goderich, to steal three kilograms of gold valued at $210,000. The charges also allege that the accused persons possessed funds believed to be proceeds of unlawful activity, received money through forged receipts, uttered forged documents, and engaged in the illegal sale of minerals without the required licence. They are also facing allegations of tax evasion connected to their gold dealings. When the charges were read and explained, the accused persons did not enter a plea, as the matter is currently at the committal stage. State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay, Esq., told the court that under Section 113 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, the prosecution called Inspector Abubakarr Hassan of the Foreign National and Tourism Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as its first witness. Inspector Hassan told the court that he identified both accused persons during investigations conducted on August 15, 2025, following a robbery complaint filed by the two Italian nationals. He explained that investigations involved obtaining statements from the alleged victims and other witnesses, including the accused persons. Evidence presented included statements from Fanni Giuseppe and Alfio Siracusa, as well as a receipt allegedly produced by the victims. The witness further stated that investigations revealed discrepancies concerning the address of GAN Minerals Sierra Leone Limited, with property ownership records reportedly showing no connection between the accused persons and the stated business location. Further investigations involving the National Minerals Agency allegedly confirmed that the accused persons had no valid licence to conduct gold trading activities. The court also heard that investigators traced refunds allegedly made by a Lebanese national, Bahij Moujss, adding another dimension to the case. Following the presentation of the evidence, defence lawyer Melron C. Nicole Wilson indicated that he intends to file a no-case submission under Section 113(8) of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024. Magistrate Jah adjourned the matter to August 10, 2026, for further proceedings.