The Sierra Leone Advocacy Movement (SLAM-GLOBAL) has called on the competent judicial authorities to urgently review the detention of former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK), arguing that custodial detention over alleged contempt of court should be exercised with restraint, fairness and proportionality.
In a press statement dated October 9, 2026, the human rights advocacy organisation expressed concern over Kamara’s reported arrest and remand at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre on October 8, following an alleged contempt incident before the Supreme Court presided over by Chief Justice Komba Kamanda.
According to SLAM-GLOBAL, the alleged contempt arose from remarks made by Kamara during court proceedings which the Chief Justice reportedly considered improper and contemptuous. The matter was reportedly adjourned to Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
The organisation described the custodial response as potentially excessive, while acknowledging that the full court record would be necessary to assess the circumstances surrounding the decision.
SLAM-GLOBAL stressed that its position was not influenced by Kamara’s political affiliations or his previous position in government, but by concerns over constitutional justice, personal liberty, due process and the proportional exercise of judicial authority.
While affirming the independence, dignity and constitutional authority of the Judiciary, SLAM-GLOBAL maintained that judicial powers must be exercised in accordance with the law and principles of fairness.
The organisation noted that legal practitioners, particularly senior counsel, have a professional responsibility to observe courtroom decorum, courtesy and respect for the court.
However, it argued that where a lawyer’s conduct amounts to discourtesy or improper interference with proceedings, the court’s contempt powers should be exercised fairly and proportionately.
SLAM-GLOBAL further maintained that the existence of judicial authority does not remove the obligation to consider whether a particular sanction is necessary and justified by the circumstances.
The statement cited Sections 17 and 23 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which address personal liberty and the right to a fair hearing, respectively, subject to the terms of those constitutional provisions.
It argued that any deprivation of liberty must have a lawful basis and comply with the applicable safeguards of natural justice.
“Judicial independence is a constitutional safeguard, not an exemption from constitutional accountability,” the organisation stated.
Addressing the legal principles governing contempt of court, SLAM-GLOBAL said the jurisdiction was intended to protect the administration of justice rather than punish personal affronts against judicial officers.
The organisation referred to Balogh v. St Albans Crown Court [1975] QB 73, a decision of the English Court of Appeal, in support of the principle that summary contempt powers should be exercised sparingly and with restraint.
It also cited Kyprianou v. Cyprus (2005), a case concerning contempt proceedings and judicial impartiality, to emphasise the importance of procedural fairness where an alleged contempt involves a confrontation with the presiding judge.
According to the organisation, an alleged contemnor should receive an appropriate opportunity to understand and respond to the accusation.
SLAM-GLOBAL suggested that, depending on the seriousness of the conduct and the applicable law, alternatives such as a formal warning, an opportunity to apologise or retract a statement, an adjournment, or referral to the appropriate professional disciplinary body could be considered.
It maintained that imprisonment should be treated as a measure of last resort, justified by the gravity of the established conduct and the need to protect the administration of justice.
The organisation cautioned that discourteous courtroom remarks should not automatically be treated as conduct warranting imprisonment without proper consideration of the circumstances and applicable legal standards.
SLAM-GLOBAL said the matter had implications beyond the immediate dispute between Kamara and the Supreme Court, raising broader questions about the independence of the legal profession, responsible legal advocacy, equality before the law and public confidence in judicial administration.
It argued that the independence of lawyers was important not only for the legal profession but also for citizens who depend on effective representation to protect their constitutional rights.
The organisation further questioned what safeguards were available to ordinary citizens who lacked the resources, influence or public recognition to challenge decisions affecting their liberty.
Nevertheless, SLAM-GLOBAL was careful to distinguish its criticism of the detention from an attack on the Judiciary or an allegation of improper personal motives against the Chief Justice.
Describing itself as a non-partisan human rights advocacy organisation, it said its position was institutional and constitutional rather than political.
The organisation also stressed that its intervention should not be interpreted as a demand for immunity or special treatment for the former Attorney General.
“No lawyer is above the law. No exercise of judicial power is beyond constitutional limits,” the statement said, adding that every citizen should be protected against unlawful deprivation of liberty.
In its formal demands, SLAM-GLOBAL urged the competent judicial authorities to ensure that the contempt proceedings complied with the law, procedural fairness, necessity and proportionality.
It called for the prompt consideration of bail, suspension or review of the custodial order, or any other lawful remedy that could permit Kamara’s release if his continued detention was not legally justified.
The organisation also urged the authorities to consider discharging the proceedings or setting aside any sanction if the evidence, procedural requirements or applicable legal principles did not justify their continuation.
In addition, it called for constructive engagement between the Judiciary and the Sierra Leone Bar Association to preserve professional discipline, judicial independence and the legitimate freedom of lawyers to represent their clients responsibly.
SLAM-GLOBAL further requested greater procedural transparency, including clarification of the legal basis for the custodial order, the precise nature of the alleged contempt and the remedies available under Sierra Leonean law.
Concluding its statement, SLAM-GLOBAL reiterated its commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence, the integrity of the legal profession and the protection of fundamental human rights.
The organisation maintained that judicial authority and restraint were not necessarily opposing principles, arguing that fairness and proportionality could strengthen public confidence in the courts.
It called for an urgent and lawful review of the detention and a resolution that would preserve the dignity of the Supreme Court while protecting the rights of the individual.
The case places renewed public attention on the relationship between the authority of the courts to maintain order in their proceedings and the constitutional safeguards that govern the deprivation of personal liberty.
However, the final legal assessment will depend on the precise circumstances of the alleged contempt, the court record, the legal basis of the detention and the applicable procedures. SLAM-GLOBAL’s statement represents the organisation’s position on the matter; its claims about the proportionality of the detention are not a substitute for a determination by the competent court.
As the proceedings were reportedly adjourned to October 13, 2026, further developments are expected to clarify the legal issues surrounding Kamara’s detention and the next steps in the contempt matter.
See Press Statement below…
October 9th, 2026
PRESS STATEMENT
UNWARRANTED ARREST AND REMAND OF MR. JOSEPH FITZGERALD KAMARA ESQ., FORMER ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, FOR ALLEGED CONTEMPT OF COURT
1.INTRODUCTION
SLAM-GLOBAL notes with grave concern the reported arrest and custodial remand of Mr. Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara Esq. (JFK), former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, at the Pademba Road Correctional Centre on 8 October 2026, pursuant to an order arising from alleged contempt in facie curiae before the Supreme Court, presided over by the Honourable Chief Justice, Justice Komba Kamanda.
The alleged contempt reportedly arose from remarks made by Mr. Kamara during proceedings, which the Honourable Chief Justice considered improper and contemptuous. The matter was reportedly adjourned to Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
SLAM-GLOBAL unequivocally condemns the reported resort to custodial detention as an apparently excessive response to the alleged courtroom incident, subject to examination of the court record. Our concern is founded not upon the political identity or professional prominence of Mr. Kamara, but upon the fundamental principles of constitutional justice, personal liberty, due process, and proportionality.
2.SLAM-GLOBAL’S CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL POSITION
2.1.SLAM-GLOBAL unreservedly affirms the constitutional authority, dignity, and independence of the Judiciary. Every legal practitioner, particularly senior counsel, owes the Court a solemn professional duty of courtesy, candour, and decorum.
2.2.Where counsel’s conduct constitutes discourtesy or improper interference with proceedings, the Court is entitled to exercise its lawful disciplinary and contempt powers. However, the existence of judicial power does not dispense with the obligation to exercise it fairly, reasonably, and proportionately.
2.3.SLAM-GLOBAL considers the reported custodial decision excessive and difficult to reconcile with the principle of proportionality, insofar as the alleged conduct consisted of courtroom remarks for which less restrictive remedies may have been sufficient.
2.4.Sections 17 and 23 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, respectively safeguard personal liberty and the right to a fair hearing, subject to their constitutional terms. Any deprivation of liberty must therefore be legally justified and accompanied by the applicable safeguards of natural justice.
Judicial independence is a constitutional safeguard, not an exemption from constitutional accountability.
3.THE LAW OF CONTEMPT: POWER SUBJECT TO RESTRAINT
3.1.The jurisdiction to punish contempt is sui generis and exceptional. Its legitimate purpose is to protect the administration of justice, not to punish personal affronts for their own sake.
In Balogh v. St Albans Crown Court [1975] QB 73, the English Court of Appeal emphasized that summary contempt powers must be exercised sparingly and with restraint.
3.2.The principles of natural justice require that an alleged contemnor receive an appropriate opportunity to understand and answer the accusation. Where the alleged contempt arises from a direct confrontation involving the presiding judge, the appearance of impartiality assumes particular importance, as illustrated by the persuasive decision in Kyprianou v. Cyprus (2005).
3.3.Depending upon the seriousness of the established conduct and the applicable law, less restrictive remedies may include:
a)A formal admonition or warning on the record;
b)An opportunity for an unequivocal apology or retraction;
c)An adjournment or appropriate direction concerning counsel’s continued participation; or
d)Referral to the competent professional disciplinary authority.
3.4.Custodial committal should be a measure of last resort, justified by the gravity of the conduct and the necessity of protecting the administration of justice.
A discourteous submission is not automatically contempt warranting imprisonment. The power to punish must never eclipse the duty to act justly.
4.PUBLIC-INTEREST IMPLICATIONS AND POLITICAL NEUTRALITY
SLAM-GLOBAL considers this matter to have implications extending beyond courtroom discipline. It engages the independence of the Bar, freedom of responsible legal advocacy, equality before the law, and public confidence in judicial administration.
The independence of counsel is not a personal privilege of lawyers. It is a protection for the citizen whose constitutional rights depend upon competent, fearless, and responsible legal representation.
If a former Attorney-General may face custodial detention following a courtroom disagreement, the ordinary Sierra Leonean is entitled to ask what safeguards protect those without influence, resources, or public recognition.
As a non-party-political human rights advocacy organisation, SLAM-GLOBAL expressly disclaims any intention to endorse Mr. Kamara’s political affiliations, previous public positions, or personal interests. Equally, our criticism of the custodial decision must not be misconstrued as hostility towards the Judiciary or an allegation of improper personal motives against the Honourable Chief Justice.
Our position is institutional, constitutional, and universal.
We defend Mr. Kamara’s rights because those same rights belong to every Sierra Leonean—particularly the vulnerable, marginalised, and voiceless.
5.SLAM-GLOBAL’S FORMAL DEMANDS AND CALL TO ACTION
In the overriding interests of justice, de-escalation, and the preservation of mutual respect between the Bench and Bar, SLAM-GLOBAL respectfully calls upon the competent judicial authorities to:
- a) Exercise judicial restraint: Ensure that the contempt jurisdiction is exercised strictly in accordance with law, procedural fairness, necessity, and proportionality.
- b) Facilitate urgent release: Promptly consider bail, suspension or review of the custodial order, or any other lawful relief permitting Mr. Kamara’s immediate release where continued detention is not legally justified.
- c) Review the contempt proceedings: Consider the discharge of the proceedings or setting aside of any sanction where the evidence, procedural requirements, or applicable legal principles do not justify their continuation.
- d) Preserve institutional dignity: Encourage constructive engagement between the Judiciary and the Sierra Leone Bar Association to safeguard professional discipline, judicial independence, and the legitimate freedom of counsel to represent clients without improper interference.
- e) Ensure procedural transparency: Clarify the legal basis of the custodial order, the precise nature of the alleged contempt, and the remedies available under Sierra Leonean law.
SLAM-GLOBAL seeks no immunity, privilege, or preferential treatment for Mr. Kamara. We demand the faithful application of the law, without fear, favour, or discrimination.
6.CONCLUSION: JUSTICE MUST BE FIRM, FAIR, AND IMPARTIAL
SLAM-GLOBAL reiterates its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, the independence of the Judiciary, the integrity of the legal profession, and the protection of fundamental human rights.
We respectfully maintain that judicial dignity is not diminished by restraint. Rather, the moral and constitutional authority of the Court is strengthened when its considerable powers are exercised with fairness, wisdom, and proportionality.
No lawyer is above the law. No exercise of judicial power is beyond constitutional limits. And no citizen should be deprived of liberty except in accordance with law and due process.
Our appeal is therefore not merely for Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara. It is for the ordinary citizen who may never command national attention, retain senior counsel, or possess the means to challenge an unjust deprivation of liberty.
Justice that protects only the prominent is privilege. Justice that protects everyone is the rule of law.
We call for urgent lawful review of the custodial decision, prompt consideration of Mr. Kamara’s release, and a resolution that preserves the dignity of the Supreme Court while safeguarding the fundamental rights of the individual.
Let judicial authority be exercised with restraint. Let constitutional rights be protected without discrimination. Let wisdom and justice prevail.
P.S. We invite you to explore our recently published analysis in a book, “Building a Nation: Good Governance and Democratic Principles in Sierra Leone.” As we unite for change in 2026, this resource provides valuable insights for activists, policymakers, and concerned citizens committed to Sierra Leone’s transformation. Find it here: link.
Signed,
Dr. Alfred A. Veenod Fullah
DIRECTOR-GENERAL
CC: Office of the President of Sierra Leone
Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone
Speaker of the Sierra Leone House of Parliament
Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone
Office of the Chief Minister of the Government of Sierra Leone
Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL)
Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police
Chief of Defence Staff, Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)
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