By Foday Moriba Conteh
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has directed the establishment of an Independent Investigation Committee to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into allegations of wrongdoing and impropriety at the Sierra Leone Law School, in a decisive move aimed at restoring public confidence in legal education and safeguarding the integrity of the legal profession.
The directive, announced by the Office of the Press Secretary at State House on Tuesday, 7 April 2026, followed a high-level meeting held on 31 March 2026 between the President, Honourable Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, who also serves as Chairman of the Council of Legal Education and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
According to the release, the engagement centered on a series of allegations that have been circulating in the public domain concerning the Sierra Leone Law School. President Bio reportedly expressed deep concern over the potential damage such allegations could inflict on the reputation of the institution and on the wider legal profession in Sierra Leone.
Emphasizing the Sierra Leone Law School’s status as a sub-vented public institution, the President underscored the urgent need for a fair, impartial and comprehensive investigation capable of restoring credibility and ensuring that the administration of legal education remains firmly anchored in the public interest.
In line with his commitment to accountability, transparency and the proper functioning of public institutions, President Bio approved the formation of a five-member Independent Investigation Committee chaired by former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Priscilla Schwartz.
Other members of the committee include Ms. Mariama Anthony-Williams, an accounting and public sector expert; Ms. Elizabeth Kamara, an educator and Assistant Deputy Vice Chancellor of Fourah Bay College; Ms. Nicky Spencer-Coker, a legal practitioner and Mr. Victor I. Lansana, Secretary of the General Legal Council.
The committee has been mandated to thoroughly investigate all allegations of wrongdoing and impropriety at the Sierra Leone Law School and make appropriate recommendations. Its terms of reference also include assessing the institution’s administrative and governance structures, recommending reforms to strengthen accountability and identifying systemic weaknesses that may have contributed to the current concerns.
Additionally, the committee is expected to propose practical measures aimed at ensuring greater transparency, fairness and professionalism within the institution.
In a related development, the Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission has informed the President that the ongoing ACC investigation into the matter will be suspended pending the outcome of the committee’s work. The move is intended to avoid parallel processes and ensure what State House described as a coherent, independent and holistic review.
The Independent Investigation Committee has been given eight weeks to conclude its work and submit a full report containing its findings and recommendations to the President.
President Bio, according to the statement, remains firmly committed to enhancing the integrity of the legal profession and ensuring that the Sierra Leone Law School continues to stand as an institution of credibility, trust and excellence in legal training.
