By: James Kamara-Manneh
In a landmark declaration ceremony held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown at the start of this week, Tuma Adama-Gento Jabbi, a prominent legal luminary and daughter of renowned constitutional lawyer Dr. Bu-Buakei Jabbi, announced her bid for the presidency of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA). Her candidacy marks a pivotal moment in the upcoming SLBA presidential election, scheduled for May 18, 2024.
Tuma Adama Jabbi, with a legacy deeply rooted in the legal arena and boasting fourteen years of firsthand experience as a legal practitioner, unveiled her ambitious vision for the SLBA presidency under the banner of “Raise The Bar.” Emphasizing pillars of Standards, Empowerment, and Welfare (SEW), Jabbi outlined her comprehensive strategy to uplift the legal profession in Sierra Leone.
At the core of her agenda lies the commitment to elevate professional standards while simultaneously advocating for empowerment and addressing welfare concerns among SLBA members. Jabbi refuted the notion that ethical standards and the defense of human rights are conflicting pursuits, asserting that the SLBA can champion both causes concurrently.
Jabbi’s proposed initiatives include the introduction of clerkships during pupillage to provide crucial support to judges and senior magistrates, as well as the operationalization of the Legal Practitioner’s Privileges Committee to recognize and honor deserving senior advocates. Additionally, she advocated for continuous legal education and scholarship opportunities to enhance the capacity of legal practitioners in diverse fields of law.
Acknowledging pressing welfare issues within the legal fraternity, Jabbi pledged to establish a permanent Bar Secretariat and secure suitable land for its construction. She also proposed a collaborative effort with the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) to establish a private pension scheme aimed at supporting retired members of the Bar.
In her concluding remarks, Jabbi appealed for support from SLBA members, vowing to build upon the progress achieved under the outgoing president’s tenure and steer the association towards a future characterized by integrity, positive transformation, and equitable justice for all.
The announcement of Tuma Adama-Gento Jabbi’s candidacy sets the stage for a spirited campaign leading up to the SLBA presidential election, with her vision resonating deeply among legal practitioners across Sierra Leone.
Tuma Adama-Gento Jabbi’s candidacy for the SLBA presidency signals a significant development in Sierra Leone’s legal landscape. With a compelling vision centered on raising standards, empowering practitioners, and addressing welfare concerns, Jabbi’s campaign promises to usher in a new era of progress and inclusivity within the SLBA. As the election draws near, the legal fraternity eagerly anticipates the outcome, poised for potential transformation under Jabbi’s leadership.