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The New Numbered
Tuesday 9th September, 2025
PAGE 4.
Shame on the Judiciary as…
Chief Justice & Supreme Court Judge Draw Daggers!
The controversy gripping every sector of our society is that of an ongoing saga between Chief Justice Komba Kamanda and Justice Halloway, a very Senior Supreme Court Judge of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone. The Supreme Court Judge in a five page letter of complaint addressed to the Honorable Chief Justice indicated dismay on the action of Chief Justice Kamanda. Going by the content of the letter, Justice Halloway alleged he has been deprived of the privileges enjoyed by a Supreme Court Judge “entitlements include an empowerment incentive payment” of money, apart from the basic salary. In addition, these entitlements include the supply of fuel and the withdrawal of case files.
According to the letter of complaint, the learned Supreme Court Judge reiterated that he consulted with the Finance Officer to receive the incentive payment but was refused on the grounds that such payment has been blocked. Justice Halloway further explained that he went to the fuel station to collect his fuel supply but was rejected on the grounds that he had been deleted from the list of beneficiaries. More importantly, Justice Halloway indicated he applied for funds to receive medical examination abroad but could not obtain the necessary support. This situation has been very painful, as it affects the work for which he receives his salary.
He has effectively been made redundant by the Chief Justice, who has withdrawn case files from him. Strangely enough, Justice Halloway also claimed that previous Chief Justices have similarly targeted his integrity, subjecting him to inhuman actions comparable to those now carried out by Chief Justice Kamanda. Included in the letter of complaint, Justice Halloway called for the resignation or removal of Chief Justice Komba Kamanda. Following the statement by Justice Halloway, many have described it as a serious allegation that raises deep concerns about the integrity of the judiciary. What people are questioning is whether such discrepancies truly exist within the judicial system. Is it bold to say that there is a crisis of justice in Sierra Leone? At the moment, the saga appears one-sided against the Chief Justice, who is currently on vacation and out of the country. Upon his return, he is expected to present his own side of the story. Only then can we have a clearer perspective to fairly assess the unfolding situation.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of CHARDI, a keen follower of the judiciary, expressed his views on AYV’s Good Morning Show on Tuesday, 26th August. He suggested that the judiciary must be investigated by an independent and credible body of “Sierra Leoneans.” Our expectations depend on the belief that there should be an internal mechanism to address conflicts within the judiciary. If such a system is effective, we hold the view that it must serve as an arbiter to settle disputes and avoid “washing dirty linens” in public.
