By Lamin Bangura
The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) is at a defining moment, ready to embrace a future of unity, purpose, and excellence. Leading this charge is Martina Baindu Egbenda, a distinguished legal professional known as The Unifier, whose candidacy for SLBA President in the 2026 Annual General Meeting promises to bring the legal community closer than ever before.
Renowned for her vision and steadfast commitment to justice, Martina has built her campaign around principles of solidarity, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law. Under her leadership, the Bar aims to speak with one voice, act as one Bar, and uphold one commitment: ensuring justice for all. As The Unifier, Martina emphasizes strengthening the bonds within the legal fraternity, fostering collaboration, and creating an environment where every member feels valued and empowered. Her leadership will focus on integrity, unity, excellence, and advocacy that reflects the collective aspirations of the Bar. She calls on all members to join her mission: “Together, we are stronger. Together, we lead with purpose.” Martina is determined to chart a path of cohesion, innovation, and progress for the SLBA, ensuring the Bar remains a beacon of justice and professionalism in Sierra Leone.
Driven by passion, ambition, and excellence, Martina Baindu Egbenda stands out as an intelligent and self driven legal practitioner. With 13 years of experience in legal practice, she has earned respect for her notable achievements across civil and criminal litigation in Sierra Leone’s Superior Courts of Judicature. She has led prosecutions, secured convictions for the State, and provided legal advisory services to institutions including the Sierra Leone Legal and Information Institute, Financial Intelligence Unit, Constitutional Review Committee, and the State Counsel Department of the Ministry of Justice.
Martina holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Comparative Constitutional Law from the Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons.) from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, and is a Barrister at Law (BL) from the Sierra Leone Law School. She also holds specialized certifications in Oil and Gas Exploration and public administration.
Her contributions extend beyond the courtroom. At the Financial Intelligence Unit, she helped draft the national action plan for money laundering and terrorism financial risk assessment. While at the Constitutional Review Committee, she conducted comparative research on regional constitutions, influencing the inclusion of an independent chapter on Information and Communication in the proposed Sierra Leone Constitution.
Martina has combined her roles as both administrator and legal practitioner, managing programs and projects for the Judiciary of Sierra Leone in collaboration with international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA), and the UK-Sierra Leone Pro Bono Project.
In November 2018, she was appointed Director of Legal and Corporate Affairs at the National Revenue Authority and was recognized as the youngest legal practitioner by Eminence-Africa.
Currently, Martina serves as the Administrator and Registrar General, appointed by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone in January 2025. She is an active member of professional associations, including the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Bar Association Law Reporting Committee, and Legal Access through Women Yarning for Equality, Rights, and Social Justice. In December 2020, she was named Corporate Professional of the Year by Diaspora Focus.
Martina Baindu Egbenda’s candidacy represents a commitment to unity, excellence, and purpose, positioning her as a transformative leader ready to advance the Sierra Leone Bar Association into a new era of cohesion and impact.