Contours of Justice: Cases, Crises and the Quest for Judicial Autonomy
57,00 €
Your Legal Guarantee Rights
This book systematically analyzes the historical and systemic failures of Sierra Leone‘s judiciary. Divided into three rigorous parts, the work first deconstructs key landmark cases, including disputes over citizenship, political treason, and the limits of free expression, to illuminate the profound impact of political interference and miscarriages of justice.
The second section critically examines institutional bottlenecks, such as the constraints of locus standi and pervasive case delays. The concluding part advocates for concrete, evidence-based reforms designed to foster genuine judicial independence, enhance accountability, and strengthen democratic governance.
While grounded in the context of Sierra Leone, the institutional critiques and proposed solutions offer crucial comparative insights for common law judiciaries throughout the Commonwealth.
ABDUL TEJAN-COLE is a former lecturer at the University of Sierra Leone and former Anti-Corruption Commissioner in Sierra Leone.
Dr Rowland Cole is a legal expert who holds an LLD degree from the Stellenbosch University.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contributor Profiles iii
Acknowledgements vii
Foreword ix
List of Abbreviations xi
Introduction xiii
Part One: Landmark Legal Controveries
Under the Gavel – Francis Minah and the Quandries of Sierra Leone’s Legal System – Mohamed A. Bangura 3
Power, Politics and the Constitution – The Case of Alhaji Samuel Samsumana vs. The Attorney General & Minister of Justice and Victor Bockarie Foh – Victor Idrissa Lansana, Esq. 39
Free Speech and Judicial Independence: Lessons from the Paul Dumbar and Michael Mansaray Cases – Conrad Lisk 61
The Wellington Street Murder – Complicity, Common Purpose and Mens Rea Debate – Millicent Stronge 79
Beyond Birthright – Interrogating Sierra Leone’s Citizenship Jurisprudence in Akar and Yumkella Cases – Ronald Gidwani 99
Part Two: Systemic Challenges To Access Justice
Locus Standi as a Smokescreen – How Courts in Sierra Leone use the Doctrine of Legal Standing to Avoid Dealing with Cases on their Merits – Yada H. Williams 129
The Non-Assignment of Cases: A Travesty of Access to Justice in Sierra Leone – Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah & Mohamed Jalloh 167
Judicial Review Safeguarding Accountability and Restraining Executive Overreach – Kadija Kabbah 187
Part Three: From Challenges To Change – Forging A Fairer Justice System
Reconciling the Past, Reforming the Future – Sierra Leone’s TRC and Post-Conflict Reform – Saramba Kandeh 209
Charting the Path Ahead – Summation and Recommendations – Rowland Cole & Abdul Tejan-Cole 231
List of Cases 245
List of Books 251
Statutes, Conventions, and Legal Documents 255
List of Reports 257
Index 25