Lawyers’ Society Slams Justice Halloway Suspension
By Mo Hamad Kargbo
The suspension of Supreme Court Judge, Justice Allan B. Halloway, by the Presidency has sparked outrage within Sierra Leone’s legal community, with the Lawyers’ Society of Sierra Leone describing the move as unconstitutional, procedurally flawed, and a direct threat to judicial independence.
In a press release dated 17th September 2025, the Society strongly criticized a directive from the Office of the President which stated:
His Excellency the President hereby suspends you as Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature with immediate effect until the outcome of a Disciplinary Tribunal instituted to investigate your conduct.”
According to the Lawyers’ Society, the suspension was carried out without adherence to constitutional safeguards and without offering the public or the judiciary a clear explanation for the disciplinary action.
Background to the Suspension
Prior to his suspension, Justice Halloway had written two formal complaints dated 11th August and 11th September 2025, in which he raised concerns about:
The withholding of his allowances and employment benefits;
His removal from case panels; and
His exclusion from hearings at both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.
Justice Halloway alleged that these actions not only undermined his role as a judge but also had adverse effects on his health and that of his mother. He argued that such treatment violated his constitutional rights under Section 138(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and protections enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Despite the gravity of these claims, the Society revealed that its letters to the Hon. Chief Justice requesting clarification and redress for Halloway’s grievances were met with silence.
Society’s Position on the Suspension
In its detailed response, the Lawyers’ Society outlined three major concerns:
- Breach of Natural Justice The Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) ought to have heard and considered Justice Halloway’s complaints before any suspension was imposed.
- Constitutional Violation – Under Sections 137(5) and (6) of the Constitution, a tribunal must first be established to investigate a judge before any suspension can lawfully take place. According to the Society, this constitutional requirement was ignored.
- Risk to Judicial Independence The abrupt suspension, without due process, sets a dangerous precedent that could silence judges with legitimate grievances and erode public trust in the judiciary.
Call for Reversal and Reform
The Lawyers’ Society has called for the immediate reversal of Justice Halloway’s suspension and urged that the matter be referred instead to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission and the Judicial Ethics Committee.
“The suspension of Justice Halloway without due process undermines the rule of law, natural justice, and judicial independence,” the statement warned. It further emphasized that genuine reforms in the judiciary must respect constitutional processes, accountability, and the principle of separation of powers.
Broader Implications
This development adds to growing public debate about executive interference in Sierra Leone’s judiciary. Critics fear that if such practices continue unchecked, judges may feel intimidated into silence, weakening the courts’ role as guardians of constitutional democracy.
The Lawyers’ Society concluded by reaffirming its commitment to defend the independence of the judiciary, safeguard the Constitution, and ensure that judges operate in an environment free from intimidation and political pressure.
