The Lawyers’ Society has called for the unconditional release of Joseph F. Kamara, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, following his detention for contempt of the Supreme Court, urging the Bench to accept his public apology and reconsider the proceedings against him.
The intervention by the legal body, contained in a press release dated October 9, 2026, follows a tumultuous week at the Supreme Court where hearings regarding the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2025, were overshadowed by heated exchanges between Kamara and the presiding judges. The altercations led to Kamara being cited for contempt and subsequently handed a custodial sentence, prompting widespread concern within the legal community. The General Legal Council had previously issued a statement on the matter, and the Lawyers’ Society’s latest release adds significant weight to calls for clemency.
While affirming its profound respect for the Bench and the authority of the courts in the administration of justice, the Society emphasized Kamara’s extensive contributions to the legal profession in Sierra Leone. They noted that he has mentored hundreds of lawyers and held several distinguished positions, including Deputy Prosecutor of the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone, President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, and Attorney-General and Minister of Justice.
The Society argued that Kamara’s career has demonstrated a consistent respect for the Bench and the Bar, and that his publicly tendered apology in the Supreme Court should be viewed within that context. They described the apology as a meaningful step towards resolving the matter and respectfully called on the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court to reconsider the decision to cite him for contempt.
“The Society believes that a measured approach would uphold the dignity of the Court while also recognising the important role played by the Bar in the administration of justice,” the release stated. The Society further urged all parties to remain focused on the constitutional questions before the Court, stressing that the interests of justice require these issues to be determined carefully and dispassionately without collateral matters overriding them.
The Lawyers’ Society concluded by expressing hope that the matter can be resolved in a manner that preserves the dignity of the Court, protects the proper role of counsel, and allows attention to return to the constitutional issues requiring determination.
