Master and Registrar Implicated
By Thomas George
The credibility of the judiciary is under scrutiny as allegations emerge that Madam Elaine Thomas-Archibald, the Master and Registrar of the High Court, has allegedly embezzled over $3 million meant for Hong Peng, a Chinese mining company.
A formal complaint by lawyer representing the plaintiff has been lodged with the Hon. Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, raising concerns about transparency and judicial accountability.
The complaint submitted by lawyer Abdul Rahman Kamara through his solicitor Jengo Esq., highlights that Madam Thomas-Archibald acted ultra vires a court order regarding the management of the company’s funds. Instead of complying with judicial directives, she unilaterally took control of the money and, when confronted, allegedly stated that not even the presiding judge, Hon. Justice A. Fisher J, had the authority to question her decisions—let alone shareholders like lawyer Kamara, who owns 30% of the company.
Further complicating the issue, the Master and Registrar is accused of exceeding her legal authority by stripping minority shareholder and General Manager Fang of his powers and assuming control of company operations herself—an unprecedented overreach for a court officer.
Legal analysts argue that such actions undermine both judicial integrity and corporate governance principles. “For a judicial officer to disregard a judge’s authority while unlawfully taking control of a private company’s finances is deeply troubling,” said a senior lawyer. “If unchecked, this sets a dangerous precedent where court officers can operate outside the law without consequences.”
“The office of the Chief Justice carries the ultimate responsibility for ensuring judicial integrity,” said a legal expert. *”The public is watching. If the judiciary cannot hold its own officers accountable, how can it expect to administer justice fairly?”
The apparent inaction has fueled speculation that the matter is being deliberately suppressed. Questions are being raised about whether personal or institutional interests are preventing an impartial investigation.
Legal professionals, shareholders, and civil society organizations are now calling for:
- A full and independent inquiry into the allegations.
- Immediate action from the Chief Justice to ensure accountability.
- Possible intervention by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) if the judiciary fails to act.
The judiciary cannot afford to ignore this case,” said a representative from an anti-corruption watchdog. The Chief Justice must demonstrate that no one is above the law, including those within the judicial system itself.
The Master and Registrar could not be reached though frantic efforts was also made to contact the Public Relations Department of the Sierra Leone Judiciary to get their own side of the story.