Nearly seven years after President Julius Maada Bio established three Commissions of Inquiry (COIs) to probe alleged corruption by former government officials, Sierra Leone’s judiciary is under growing scrutiny for its failure to deliver timely and transparent justice.
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as deep-rooted and systemic challenges within the judicial system, including corruption, poor record-keeping, lack of transparency, and prolonged delays in adjudicating COI-related appeals.
Although the final COI reports were submitted in March 2020, CHRDI notes that nearly five years later, a substantial number of appeals remain unresolved or inadequately documented. The organization warns that this persistent backlog has significantly eroded public confidence and raised questions about the independence and efficiency of the courts.
In September 2023, the judiciary issued a directive instructing judges to conclude all COI-related cases by mid-October 2023. However, compliance has reportedly been minimal, leaving many litigants frustrated as their cases continue to stagnate in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
On August 21, 2025, CHRDI formally invoked the Right to Access Information Act (2013), requesting detailed updates on COI-related cases handled between 2021 and 2025. After months of resistance, the judiciary eventually released partial records in December 2025, covering 108 cases heard by three appellate panels.
A review of the records by CHRDI uncovered troubling inconsistencies. Thirty-eight case files—representing approximately 35 percent—were listed as having “No Record,” while three others were incomplete. The organization also identified multiple inaccuracies in case documentation.
The summary of judgments further highlighted slow progress over the years:
- 2025: 2 appeals allowed, 1 dismissed
- 2024: 3 appeals allowed, 1 dismissed
- 2023: 5 appeals allowed, 4 dismissed, 1 dismissed for want of prosecution
- 2022: 3 appeals allowed, 3 dismissed
- 2021: 8 appeals allowed, 3 dismissed
CHRDI noted that allegations of corruption within Sierra Leone’s judiciary have persisted for years, often implicating senior officials and court staff. The suspension of some judicial officers for misconduct has only intensified public skepticism.
Speaking on the matter, CHRDI Chief Executive Abdul M. Fatoma warned that continued inaction could have grave consequences for the rule of law.eCHRDI is calling for decisive and transparent reforms, backed by strong political will and adequate resources, to restore integrity and public trust in the justice system. The organization cautions that without meaningful accountability and openness, Sierra Leone’s judiciary risks losing its credibility as the nation’s “temple of justice.”
