The Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has officially postponed its Annual General Meeting (AGM) indefinitely, condemning what it describes as “unlawful interference” by the Sierra Leone Police that prevented members from accessing the venue today.
In a General Notice signed by General Secretary Alfred Paul Juwah, Esq., the Directors expressed “great concern and regrettably” informed members that the two-day meeting scheduled for July 31 and August 1 at the Freetown International Conference Centre in Aberdeen would not proceed.
The SLBA Directors stated in no uncertain terms that the police blockade—carried out without any lawful order from a competent court—is “unconstitutional and a blatant abuse of their statutory powers.” According to the notice, officers prevented members from accessing the AGM hall, effectively shutting down the Association’s premier annual gathering. The Directors emphasized that the action could have been avoided “if reasonability had been applied.”
The disruption has resulted in significant financial loss for the Association, with costs “conservatively calculated to run into millions of Leones.” These expenses include venue rental, conference materials, and travel arrangements for members who came from across the country.
Citing Article 19 of the Company’s Articles of Association, the Directors affirmed that management of the Association’s business remains in their hands. They pledged “unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, holding the Government accountable and protecting the welfare of the membership.”
The notice extended “profound apologies” to the membership and esteemed invited guests for the inconvenience caused by the police action.
The postponement follows today’s dramatic scenes where lawyers were barred from entering the conference centre, with police citing “ORDERS FROM ABOVE.” The incident has already prompted the resignation of SLBA Public Relations Officer Alfred Kamanda, who also dropped his re-election bid in protest.
This marks the second postponement of the SLBA AGM, following an earlier delay from June. The High Court had recently ordered the executive to produce financial statements and a verified membership list amid internal governance disputes.
The SLBA has not announced a new date for the rescheduled AGM. Further updates will be communicated to members in due course.
