By: Audrey Raymonda John
The defence team for Justice Baami Holloway has filed an application challenging the composition of the tribunal panel investigating his conduct, the chairman of the tribunal disclosed during proceedings on Monday at the Law Courts on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
The tribunal was established by President Julius Maada Bio to investigate allegations of misconduct against Justice Holloway. The panel is chaired by Supreme Court Judge Abdulai Bangurah, alongside seasoned legal practitioners Robin Mason and Francis Gabidon.
Justice Bangurah informed the court that the tribunal had received the defence application on Friday. Filed by lead counsel Sulaiman Bejan Tejansie, the application raises objections concerning the composition of the tribunal panel and requests a formal response.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Osman Kanu, requested additional time to review the defence’s submission before responding.
The proceedings were conducted in a calm and orderly manner, with the panel members, prosecution, and defence counsel arriving ahead of the scheduled 1:00 p.m. sitting. Justice Holloway was present, accompanied by a relative, and several junior lawyers attended alongside him. Members of the media and a few members of the public were also in attendance.
After the prosecution’s request for additional time, the tribunal adjourned the matter to Thursday, 19 February 2026 for further hearing.
The tribunal was constituted under Section 137 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, following a directive issued by President Bio on 15 September 2025. Justice Holloway was suspended from his position as a Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature in September 2025, pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings initiated to investigate allegations regarding his conduct.
The defence challenge marks a significant development in the tribunal proceedings, highlighting ongoing legal debates surrounding judicial accountability and procedural fairness in Sierra Leone.