The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has taken the Government’s justice reform agenda to Makeni City, where he met with citizens of Bombali District to discuss the newly enacted Criminal Procedure Act 2024, the ongoing Constitutional Review Process and broader reforms within the justice sector. The engagement formed part of the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Civic Day Series held on Tuesday, 16 September 2025 at the University of Makeni (Unimak) Hall, Makeni.
In his address, the Attorney General highlighted the significance of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024, which has officially come into force, replacing the outdated law that had guided criminal proceedings for over thirty years. He explained that the new law introduces modernized procedures aimed at ensuring fair, speedy and accessible trials nationwide, including in provincial areas, thereby strengthening justice delivery across Sierra Leone.
Referencing recent criminal cases, including robberies in Bo and the murder of a Reverend Father in Kenema, Alpha Sesay reassured the public that such matters will now be prosecuted under the framework of the new Act, which guarantees timely and just trials in line with the law.
Turning to constitutional reforms, the Attorney General reminded citizens that the review process began in the aftermath of the Lomé Peace Agreement of 1999. He paid tribute to the late Justice Edmond Cowan, who led the first Constitutional Review Committee and oversaw extensive consultations with more than 10,000 Sierra Leoneans. Alpha Sesay emphasized that the process reflects a commitment carried across three successive Governments and reaffirmed the current administration’s determination to conclude it in an inclusive and transparent manner.
He revealed that the revised Constitution will strengthen governance by entrenching fundamental human rights, protecting key reforms and guaranteeing the continuation of policies such as free quality education. He also disclosed that a new governance chapter is being drafted, with the technical review currently underway. Once complete, the proposed Constitution will be tabled before Parliament and subsequently put to the people of Sierra Leone for their approval.
The Attorney General assured residents of Makeni and the wider district that public participation will remain central to the process until a new Constitution is formally adopted. He reaffirmed Government’s commitment to ensuring that reforms in the justice sector continue to reflect the voices, concerns and aspirations of citizens across the country.
