Sierra Leone Unveils Criminal Procedure Act 2024 to Drive Justice Reform
Freetown, Tuesday 16 September 2025. Sierra Leone has taken a decisive step towards transforming its criminal justice system with the official launch of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that replaces outdated colonial-era laws and introduces a modern framework for the administration of justice.
The launch ceremony, held at the High Court in Freetown, brought together prominent figures from the judiciary, executive, legislature, and law enforcement, who hailed the Act as a cornerstone of the country’s long-awaited justice sector reforms. Officials stressed that the new law will not only improve efficiency in criminal trials but also safeguard human rights and align Sierra Leone’s legal processes with international best practices.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, described the Act as the culmination of a “20-year journey” of consultation, advocacy, and reform. He emphasized that the outdated procedures had hindered justice delivery for decades, often leading to unnecessary delays, overcrowded prisons, and denial of fair trials. “This Act will change how justice is served in Sierra Leone,” Sesay declared. “I will personally oversee its implementation to ensure that it delivers fairness and equality before the law for every Sierra Leonean.”
The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, hailed the day as “historic,” noting that the Sierra Leone Police an institution central to criminal investigations and prosecutions has already begun training officers nationwide on the provisions of the new law. He explained that the reforms would empower investigators and prosecutors to manage cases more professionally and efficiently, thereby restoring public trust in the justice system.
The Chief Justice, Komba Kamanda, praised the law for embedding human rights protections and for modernizing court procedures. He pointed out that the old system, inherited from colonial rule, no longer reflected the realities or aspirations of Sierra Leone. “With this Act, we are not only catching up with international standards we are taking ownership of our justice system and ensuring it serves the people with transparency and fairness,” he said. The Chief Justice urged judges, lawyers, police officers, and civil society to work together to ensure effective implementation.
Legal analysts and civil society representatives present at the ceremony echoed these sentiments, describing the Act as a long-overdue tool to address systemic weaknesses such as prolonged pre-trial detentions, procedural bottlenecks, and lack of coordination between justice institutions.
The ceremony ended with a symbolic performance by the Sierra Leone Police Band, which officials said signaled the beginning of a transformative era for the country’s justice system. Observers noted that the true test of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024 will lie not only in its provisions but also in the political will and institutional capacity to implement it effectively.
With this milestone, Sierra Leone joins a growing list of African nations taking bold steps to reform their justice systems and strengthen the rule of law as a foundation for peace, security, and sustainable development.
