January 14, 2021
By: James Kamara-Manneh
The President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), Madam Edina Michaela Swallow Esq., the Vice President of the Bar Association Mr. Abdul Karim Kamara Esq, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala, among others has been sworn as Notary Publics.
His Lordship Chief Justice Babatunde Edward performed the solemn oath at the Law Court building, Freetown on 11th January 2021.
The swearing ceremony was graced by the Attorney General and the Minister of Justice Anthony Y Brewa, who was also a recipient of the conferment.
Other attendees at the event included Deputy Minister of Justice N. Koroma and the newly elected International Criminal Court (ICC) Judge Justice Miatta Samba, among others.
In addressing the newly sworn Notary Publics, the Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards said “to attain this height is an honor and comes with obligation…much is therefore required of you.”
According to the Chief Justice, “specifically you will be required to do authentication, certification, attestation of signatures of instruments of authorities and capacities with respect to documents to be sent abroad”.
The CJ said Notary Public should be given to people with high integrity and uprightness. He said the rationale behind their appointment is to minimize fraud by appending certification signature on any authentic documents.
He urged the recipients of the conferment perform due diligence in ensuring fake person do not compromise them.
In giving vote of thanks on behalf of his colleagues recipients and members of the Bar, Abdul Karim Kamara Esq. expressed appreciation for the conferment and reassured the Chief Justice that the confidence reposed in all recipients will guarded against abuse.
“There are so many colleagues out there who have been looking forward to this opportunity, but it took good judgment to make the selection” Kamara said.
He promised the Chief Justice that they will uphold the highest standard of integrity in performing their critical role as Notary Publics.
