The Judiciary of Sierra Leone, through the Judicial and Legal Training Institute (JLTI), has launched a two-day training session for 38 Magistrates from across the country on the newly enacted Criminal Procedure Act of 2024 at Sierra Palm Hotel, Beach Road, Lumley on Friday10th October 2025. This initiative is part of the broader reforms spearheaded by the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Komba Kamanda, aimed at enhancing judicial efficiency.
In his opening remarks, the Chief Justice emphasized that the training would help the Magistrates stay up-to-date with the provisions of the new Act and enhance their ability to apply the law effectively in court. He also expressed his gratitude to development partners, particularly the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), for their invaluable support in delivering justice reform.
“The agenda for this training is rich, and I am confident that the facilitators were carefully selected by the Judicial and Legal Training Institute,” Chief Justice Kamanda stated.
Supreme Court Judge, Honourable Justice Eku Robert, commended the Chief Justice for his leadership in the judiciary, acknowledging the capacity-building efforts for judges, magistrates, and judicial staff through the Judicial and Legal Training Institute. He also thanked his fellow judges for their continued support.
The Coordinator of the training, Honourable Justice Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi JSC, highlighted that the purpose of the training was to enhance professionalism and ensure the participants are well-informed about the new Criminal Procedure Act. She also thanked the UNDP and JSCO for their support in making the event possible.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., spoke about the key provisions of the new Criminal Procedure Act. He explained that the new law introduces several significant changes compared to the old 1965 Act, notably modernizing the justice system and aligning it with international human rights standards. These updates aim to ensure fairer judicial processes.
One of the key reforms in the new Act is the introduction of Alternative Sentencing, including options such as Community Punishment Orders, Suspended Sentences, and Deferred Sentences for offenses carrying sentences of no more than two years. The Attorney General praised the Chief Justice for his ongoing reform efforts and applauded the JLTI for its commitment to continuous capacity-building for the judiciary.
