Today marks seven years since Chief Justice Komba Kamanda delivered a High Court ruling that removed six All People’s Congress (APC) Members of Parliament, while Justice Momoh Jah Stevens removed four others on the same day, affecting a total of ten parliamentarians.
Hon. Rabbi Sirajin Munirr Rollings-Kamara, the former duly elected Member of Parliament for Constituency 127, reflected on the ruling in a statement, noting that this may be the last time he comments publicly on the matter. Drawing from his Judean Christian faith, he emphasized the principle of forgiveness, referencing the Torah and the concept of the Sabbatical Year, or Shemitah, when debts are forgiven.
“Today, I choose to forgive Justice Komba Kamanda for the debt he owed me seven years ago,” Rollings-Kamara said, explaining that he had been wrongfully removed from Parliament. He maintained that the ruling, which alleged violence in his constituency during the 2018 multi-tier elections, was unfounded. He pointed out that the Sierra Leone Police had no record of such violence, and the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone had certified him as the legitimate winner.
Rollings-Kamara described the ruling as a serious injustice that disregarded the authority of the institution constitutionally charged with conducting elections. He emphasized that his removal had nothing to do with any constitutional disqualification, noting that he had never held government employment nor foreign citizenship.
He also highlighted the broader consequences of the ruling, which enabled the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to secure a parliamentary majority following the disputed 2018 elections. Some colleagues were profoundly affected: Hon. Sheriff Carew passed away less than a year after removal, Hon. Ahmed Mansaray and Hon. Momoh Kamara faced financial and personal struggles, Hon. Abu Bakarr Sillah relocated to the United States, and Hon. Hariatu Arianna Bangura shifted from a professional career to small-scale trading. Rollings-Kamara noted inconsistencies in the rulings, pointing to cases where some MPs retained their seats while others were removed.
While a few MPs, including Timbo, Sattie, and Kemokoh, were eventually restored to Parliament in 2023, Rollings-Kamara observed that others were left without redress. Guided by his faith, he chose forgiveness, quoting the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
Rollings-Kamara used the occasion to appeal to Chief Justice Kamanda to consider the ongoing detention of Mohamed Moriba and Zainab Sheriff, urging that the justice system be fair, balanced, and free from political influence. He reminded the Chief Justice that power is temporary and should be exercised responsibly, noting that the original ruling contributed to Kamanda’s rise to the office of Chief Justice.
“Now is the time to look back, look down, and begin correcting the mistakes of the past. Do not add more names to that list of grievances. Consider the release of Mohamed Moriba and Zainab Sheriff,” Rollings-Kamara stated, stressing that justice achieves its highest form when it is impartial and free from political manipulation.
©️ Hon. Rabbi Sirajin Munirr Rollings-Kamara
Former duly elected Member of Parliament, Constituency 127