By: Miracle Seer
House of Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown—-
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., lauded the Sierra Leone Legal Aid Board (LAB) for a decade of outstanding service in promoting justice and providing legal support to marginalized communities across the nation.
Speaking at a special parliamentary session commemorating the LAB’s 10th anniversary, he emphasized the institution’s vital role in strengthening the rule of law and safeguarding fundamental human rights.
Established in 2015 under the Legal Aid Act, the LAB was founded to bridge a significant justice gap—ensuring access to legal representation for indigent Sierra Leoneans unable to afford private counsel. Today, the LAB operates as a national body, delivering free legal services in both criminal and civil matters, offering representation to thousands annually, and facilitating legal advice, community mediation, and public education initiatives in underserved areas.
Highlighting the visionary nature of the legislation that established the LAB, Attorney General Sesay remarked: “The Legal Aid Board stands as a shining example of the power of legislative reform. It exemplifies what is possible when the law is used as an instrument for social justice, equity, and inclusion.”
Over the past ten years, the Legal Aid Board has provided legal representation to over 300,000 individuals, introduced community-based mediation to ease court congestion, extended outreach through mobile clinics and rights education, and collaborated with justice institutions to improve detention practices and reduce pre-trial detention.
Attorney General Sesay attributed the LAB’s success to the leadership and dedication of its team—from the Executive Director to legal officers and community paralegals—who have consistently demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to justice. “The commitment of the Board’s leadership and staff to upholding justice for the most vulnerable is truly commendable. Their work has brought dignity, hope, and justice to countless Sierra Leoneans,” he noted.
Attorney General reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening the LAB’s capacity. Planned initiatives include increased budgetary allocations, infrastructure improvements, expanded recruitment and training of legal professionals, and enhanced collaboration with civil society and international development partners.
“We recognize that the demand for legal aid services continues to grow, especially in light of socio-economic challenges and increasing public awareness of legal rights, we are determined to ensure that the Legal Aid Board has the resources and tools it needs to meet that demand effectively,” he said
He also called for enhanced collaboration between the LAB, traditional justice systems, and non-state actors to ensure justice is both accessible and culturally resonant throughout the country.
As Sierra Leone celebrates this milestone, the 10th anniversary of the Legal Aid Board stands not only as a marker of institutional success, but as a reaffirmation of the nation’s constitutional commitment to justice for all. The LAB’s decade of service offers both a model and a challenge—to build a justice system that is inclusive, responsive, and equitable, ensuring that no citizen is denied justice due to poverty or social status.