CHRDI Faults Judiciary Over COI Appeal Delays
By Mo Hamad Kargbo
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has raised serious concerns over prolonged delays in Sierra Leone’s judicial system, particularly in the handling of appeals arising from the 2018 Commissions of Inquiry (COIs).
In a press statement issued on Friday, January 9, 2026, CHRDI said several appeal cases linked to the COIs remain unresolved nearly seven years after the commissions were established and almost five years after their final reports were submitted in March 2020.
The COIs were set up by President Julius Maada Bio to investigate allegations of corruption in past governments. While individuals found liable were granted the right to appeal, CHRDI says the judicial process has since been plagued by inefficiency, poor record management, and a lack of transparency.
According to the rights group, many COI cases are currently stuck at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, creating frustration for litigants and eroding public confidence in the justice system. The organisation described the situation as a “judicial crisis,” citing endemic problems such as corruption allegations, inadequate resources, weak accountability mechanisms, and poor infrastructure within the judiciary.
CHRDI recalled that in September 2023, the leadership of the Judiciary instructed judges handling COI matters to conclude all cases by mid-October 2023. However, the organisation noted that this directive has not been fully complied with.
In a bid to obtain clarity, CHRDI invoked the Right to Access Information Act (2013) on August 21, 2025, requesting updates on COI appeal cases handled between 2021 and 2025. Following delays and what CHRDI described as disregard for the law, the organisation filed a formal complaint with the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) on September 23, 2025.
RAIC subsequently wrote to the Judiciary on October 9, 2025, giving a seven-day deadline for the release of the requested information and warning of possible legal action for non-compliance. When the deadline elapsed, the Judiciary sought an extension on November 28, 2025, citing a legal provision that CHRDI says does not exist under the Act.
On December 17, 2025, the Judiciary submitted partial information covering 108 COI appeal cases across three appellate panels. CHRDI’s review of the documents revealed significant gaps, including 38 cases listed as having “no record,” representing about 35 percent of the files, and three incomplete records.
The group warned that the absence of proper records in appellate matters raises serious concerns about fair hearing guarantees, judicial integrity, and effective record management.
A summary of judgments provided by the Judiciary shows that between 2021 and 2025, a total of 34 appeals were determined, with varying outcomes, including appeals allowed, dismissed, and one dismissed for want of prosecution.
CHRDI said the Judiciary’s response falls short of expectations and undermines transparency and accountability. The organisation stressed that delays in justice not only weaken court judgments but also cause anxiety for litigants and risk the loss or deterioration of evidence.
Speaking on the matter, Abdul M. Fatoma, Chief Executive of CHRDI, warned that continued failure to address these issues could undermine the rule of law and citizens’ right to timely justice.
“When corruption penetrates the judicial system, it compromises the fundamental principle of fairness for all individuals,” Fatoma said. “A judge who accepts a bribe or obstructs justice cannot be considered independent or impartial. The problem is worsened when such practices are encouraged by higher authorities.”
CHRDI is now calling for comprehensive and honest judicial reforms, backed by full financial commitment from the government, to restore public trust and confidence in Sierra Leone’s justice system
