By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone, presided over by a panel of five judges, has issued a ruling mandating the Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers Union to conduct its national executive elections no later than June 30, 2025. The Court also ordered the union to regularize its membership before the elections take place.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, May 9, 2025, comes in the wake of a legal dispute between the union’s current president, Alpha Amadu Bah, and the respondent, Mr. Abu Saidu. The conflict led to an earlier court injunction issued on March 20, 2025, which temporarily halted the electoral process.
The dispute began when Bah filed a Notice of Motion on November 20, 2024, requesting the Court’s intervention to prevent what he described as external interference in the union’s electoral procedures.
In response, the Supreme Court initially issued an injunction restraining all parties from proceeding with the elections until a final judgment was rendered.
After hearing submissions from both legal representatives, the Court ruled that the union must proceed with elections by June 30, 2025, in accordance with legal and procedural standards. Furthermore, the Court stressed the importance of regularizing union membership ensuring voter eligibility and promoting fair representation.
The Motor Drivers and General Transport Workers Union is a critical body representing transportation workers throughout Sierra Leone. The upcoming elections are expected to play a vital role in shaping the leadership and direction of the organization.