The Twelfth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma, on Thursday 22 May 2025 debated and unanimously approved by Parliament.
The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Magistrate Mark Ngegba,Judge of the High Court
2. Magistrate Sahr Elongima, Judge of the High Court
3. Magistrate Isata Susan Sellu Tucker,Judge of the High Court
4. Magistrate Santigie Ibrahim Sorie Bangura, Judge of the High Court
5. Magistrate Josephine Feimata Hinga, Judge of the High Court
6. Ms. Khalila Diana Kamara _ Judge of the High Court
7. Hon. Justice Athanasius Alfred Tommy Ganda, Judge of the Appeal Court
8. Hon.Justice Abou Bahkarr Binneh Kamara Judge of the Appeal Court
9. Hon.Justice Aiah Simeon Allieu,Judge of the Appeal Court and
10. Mr. Samuel Andrew Curtis Johnson, High Court Judge
Presenting the Twelfth Report, the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said the Presidential Nominees were interviewed on oaths and under strict procedures on issues pertaining to their educational backgrounds and probing questions covering a wide range of issues relating to track records and their declared assets, tax obligations, and vision for sustainable tenure. He assured the plenary that the report is the unanimous decision of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service.
Seconding the motion, the Whip of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia District, mentioned the nominees for their leadership acumen. He informed the House that the qualifications of the nominees are not in doubt. He categorically stated that the injustices in the judiciary most of the time affect poor people. Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara said, “Sierra Leone is in the hands of the young people but politics has greatly affected us as a nation.” He encouraged the nominees to always protect the name of the family they represent in those offices. He said the nominees going to the judiciary should always administer justice to the poor. He also spoke on the need to improve the conditions of service in the judiciary. He said Sierra Leone has not done justice to the judiciary over the years in terms of financial allocation.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, in his debate, asked the nominees to deliver in the interest of Sierra Leoneans. He said the work done by judges and the judiciary is challenged adding that, it requires much attention and support. “Justice is difficult to serve noting that, most politicians interfere with the activities of the judiciary,”. He stressed and requested the State to look after the judiciary.
Hon.Osman A.Timbo from Western Urban, in his contribution to the debate, recalled that during the war, judges became targets, and the judiciary envisaged a lot of challenges. Also, referencing the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report, Honourable Timbo said most of the problems in Sierra Leone are as a result of the poor judiciary system in the country. He ended by saying that the challenges faced by the judiciary are also a result of the fight against corruption.
Contributing to the debate, Hon.Hindolo Gevao from Kailahun District said the vetting and approval of nominees are indeed a true beauty of democracy. He said the nominees should go and deliver for the people of Sierra Leone. Addressing the nominees individually, Honourable Gevao described the nominees as competent and more qualified to perform in their various capacities.
Honourable Tamba Kellie from Kono District, in his submission to the debate, said the nominees merit their appointments from President Bio. He continued that he believed the nominees would perform extremely well and wished them well.
Honourable Aminata Moriba extended appreciation to President Bio for appointing women in these strategic positions. She encouraged the nominees to work for the people of Sierra Leone.
Honourable Tamba Johney from Kono began his debate by thanking President Bio for appointing the People of Kono in respective positions. He reflected on the tuition he got from one of the nominees who served as his teacher. Honourable Tamba Johnny used the opportunity to ask the judiciary to deploy a judge in Kono to handle issues affecting the People of Kono.
Oppostion Whip 1 Honourable Catherine Zainab Tarawallie from Bombali District, during her contribution to the debate, said the female nominees should respect women in their respective positions. Honourable Catherine described the nominees as competent, and that they should go and deliver for the People of Sierra Leone. She asked the nominees to deliver justice for all Sierra Leoneans regardless of tribe, status, or region.
Rounding up the debate on the side of the Opposition, the Acting Leader of the Opposition Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma from Tonkolili District said there were series of challenges in the judiciary which need to be addressed and provide solutions to same, “The nominees will perform extremely well if they are supported by the Government”, he maintained. He said there is a need for the judiciary to get better conditions of service. He reemphasized the need for the Chief Justice to continue rebranding the image of the judiciary and ensure justice for the people of Sierra Leone. The Acting Opposition Leader stated that the integrity of the judiciary is most time in doubt by the public. He therefore called for a need for the judiciary not to be partisan in performing their functions. He said the people have a challenge in the Local Courts and asked the Chief Justice to ensure effective service delivery in the justice sector.
The Acting Leader of Opposition extended appreciation to President Bio for appointing at least 30% of women in most of his appointments in public offices.
Concluding the debate, the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma, said that even though Parliament determines its salary and allowances, there is always public outcry when Parliament try to do so. He continued that there is a need for better conditions of service in the justice sector and that President Bio would work tirelessly to ensure better conditions of service for them and also the additional two arms of government. He said the judiciary is an Independent Organ of Government and should not be politicised. He continued by saying that there is a need to reform the judiciary in order to have it name change and rebrand.
In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Thursday 22/05/2025, debated the Bill entitled; ‘The National Country Planning Act, 2025’ and committed it to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny.
The Bill seeks to provide and promote sustainable development and establish a framework for national planning, enhance resilience to disasters, adapt to and mitigate climate change, encourage public participation, ensure effective enforcement, support the development of infrastructure, housing, and public amenities that contribute to improving the living standards of the people in both urban and rural areas, establish mechanisms for the continuous monitoring, evaluation, and improvement of planning policies and practices, harmonize country planning efforts with national development objectives and international commitments, including those related to sustainable development, climate change, and human rights and to provide for other related matters.
Presenting the Bill to Members of Parliament, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr.Turad Senesie said the Bill is a life changing document that would re-modernise Cities and Towns.
Members of Parliament also made meaningful contributions to the debate.