The President of Sierra Leone, Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio, has referred a petition concerning the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2026, to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion.
According to a statement, President Bio received the Bill, titled the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2026, from the Clerk of Parliament on September 10, 2026, for presidential assent.
Prior to receiving the Bill, the President received a petition from the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) on September 4, 2026, raising constitutional questions regarding its passage by Parliament.
The President has also followed the public debate surrounding the Bill and the differing views expressed both in support of and opposition to its passage.
The statement said President Bio considers the Bill to be of significant national importance because it touches on the constitutional and democratic foundations of Sierra Leone.
He therefore believes that its passage should be supported by broad national consensus and constitutional clarity to maintain public trust and confidence in the country’s constitutional review process.
Accordingly, pursuant to Section 122(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, President Bio has directed that the petition concerning the Bill be referred to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion.
The President has further mandated the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to facilitate the referral.
The Clerk of Parliament has been notified that if the Supreme Court’s judicial opinion is not received within 14 days from the presentation of the Bill, the President will communicate his final decision to Parliament at the earliest opportunity upon receipt of the opinion.
The statement described the move as an unprecedented step reflecting the President’s commitment to ensuring that matters of profound national importance are handled with due diligence, transparency and fidelity to the Constitution