Lawyer Sengbe Marrah Poise To Transform Bar Association
In his bid to restore the integrity and respect of the Bar Association, and build on an image of independence from political considerations, Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah Esq. has thrown his hat in the race for the Presidency of the association. He provides insight into what he intends to do if he becomes President in the coming AGM due to be held in May this year. See details below:
Hello Colleagues!
I am Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah. I was called to the Sierra Leone Bar in October 2009. Besides litigating cases in court and advising clients on all aspects of the law, I am a human rights defender and a pro-democracy activist.
Why are you running for the Bar?
Today, I am declaring to run for the presidency of the Bar because I think that the bar needs to be reclaimed from capture. The regrettable omissions and commissions of the legal industry were at the core of the cause of the national tragedy that befell our country for over a decade. Unfortunately, such negligence of justice has emerged. This is worrisome. The promise of justice on the nation’s coat of arms remains unfulfilled. I believe that the omissions of the Bar association is largely responsible for the laughable state of justice in our country. This is why I am running. To reclaim the bar. To defend the constitution of Sierra Leone. To uphold the rule of law and to defend our democracy.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I have been a committed member of the bar association since I joined the legal profession. I served in the General Legal Council as secretary for three years. I was coordinator of the maiden edition of the General Legal Council Law Journal. I have been acted as counsel for the bar association and the General Legal Council. Recently, I started the first comprehensive online legal resource to digitize the legal resources of Sierra Leone. Beyond all of this, I have been at the forefront of the defence of the constitution and the rule of law. I have been consistently on the side of the law and justice. My devotion to justice and the rule of law has been tried but not extinguished. My voice on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone interrupted but not silenced. I have shown over and again that the law is supreme, second to none. I have sided with justice over politics and with loyalty to the constitution above all considerations. I believe that this is what makes me the best fit for the presidency of the bar.
What is the vision of the presidency?
The key vision of my presidency is to re-situate the bar as the people’s defender of the constitution, the rule of law and of justice. I know that the bar is not an opposition to government of Sierra Leone. I also know that the bar is not an addition to the government. Under my leadership, the bar will always stand in the middle aisle defending the people against the excesses of government and ensuring that the constitution and not the whims and preferences of a group of people or party reign supreme.
My leadership would give consult members of the bar association in all critical matters and not be dictated by any other interests other than the association’s.
My leadership will always engage government, the judiciary, and other developmental partners to improve access to justice for the people. Where engagement fails, we will litigate to correct the wrongs of pour society. We shall be uncompromising to expand access to justice all across Sierra Leone.
Finally, my presidency would put the welfare of the members of the bar at the fore. It is said that the welfare of the people is the final law. My leadership will ensure that opportunities for lawyers are expanded and all facilities to enhance legal practice are introduced. Members of the bar shall be our masters and we shall serve at their will and direction.
Colleagues, I call on all of you to join me in the quest to reclaim the Bar. In the desire to restore the dignity of the oldest bar association in sub-Saharan Africa. The Bar will not be free if it is left at the mercy seat of politics. This is why we must take it back. I commit to uphold and to pursue this cause until the bar is completely free and insulated from the manipulations of partisan politics. Yes, we can reclaim the bar. Let’s do it by voting for me on May 17th 2024 during the Annual General Meeting. I thank you all!