31/07/2026
WHERE WAS THE BAR ASSOCIATION
The Sierra Leone Bar Association has now publicly condemned what it describes as unlawful police interference in its internal affairs and has rightly emphasized the importance of the rule of law and constitutional governance.
However, many Sierra Leoneans may ask: Where was this same level of concern when the constitutional rights of ordinary citizens were allegedly being violated by state operatives? Where was the Bar Association when citizens claimed to have been subjected to unlawful arrests, prolonged detention, or other alleged abuses by the police? Where was its strong public voice when constitutional amendment proposals were being debated and raising concerns among sections of the public?
The rule of law should not be defended only when the legal profession or its institutions are directly affected. It should be upheld consistently for every citizen, regardless of political affiliation, profession, or social status. Equal commitment to constitutionalism strengthens public confidence in the legal system.
If the Bar Association believes that police interference in its affairs is unconstitutional, then the same constitutional principles should apply whenever the rights and freedoms of any Sierra Leonean are allegedly infringed. Consistency is essential to maintaining the credibility and moral authority of any institution that claims to defend justice and the rule of law.