By Janet A. Sesay
The Chairman of the Tribunal set up by President Julius Maada Bio to investigate the conduct of Justice Baami Holloway has disclosed that the defence team has filed an application challenging the composition of the panel.
The Chairman of the Tribunal, Justice Abdulai Bangurah, a Judge of the Supreme Court, made the disclosure during proceedings held on Monday, 16th Fenbruary instant at the Law Courts Building in Freetown. Justice Bangurah sits on the panel alongside seasoned legal luminaries including Robin Mason and Francis Gabiddon.
Addressing the court, Justice Bangurah informed the prosecution team, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Osman Kanu, that the Tribunal had received an application from the defence team on Friday, 13th February instant.
The application, filed by lead defence counsel Sulaiman Bejan Tejansie, raises objections relating to the composition of the Tribunal Panel and requires a formal response.
In response, the lead prosecutor appealed to the panel to grant the prosecution adequate time to study and respond to the issues raised by the defence.
Proceedings were conducted in a calm and orderly atmosphere, with members of the panel, counsel for both the prosecution and defence, arriving ahead of the scheduled 1:00 p.m. sitting.
The defendant was present in court, accompanied by a relative and several junior lawyers were also part of the gathering.
Members of the media and a few members of the public were also in attendance.
Following the prosecution’s request for time to file a response, the Tribunal adjourned the matter to Thursday, 19 February 2025.
The Tribunal was constituted pursuant to Section 137 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, following a directive issued by President Bio on 15 September 2025. The directive led to the interdiction of Justice Holloway by the Judicial Service Commission pending investigation.
Justice Holloway was suspended from his position as a Judge of the Superior Court of Judicature in September 2025, pending the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings instituted to probe allegations concerning his conduct.