By Amin Kef-Ranger
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has on Monday 20 August 2025 raised concern about the delay in judgment over a case it filed against the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education concerning the dissolution of the University of Sierra Leone’s court.
The case, initiated in April 2024, questions whether the Ministry’s decision contravened provisions of the Universities Act. Arguments from both sides were reportedly heard by the presiding judge in November 2024, but no ruling has yet been delivered.
According to CHRDI, the organization’s lead counsel, lawyer Leon Blyden Jenkins-Johnston, has made several inquiries but has not received updates regarding the status of the matter. CHRDI noted that the case has now been awaiting judgment for 275 days.
In a statement, the organization described the experience of pursuing public interest litigation in Sierra Leone as “challenging and painful,” while emphasizing that justice plays a vital role in strengthening democracy and the rule of law.
CHRDI also drew attention to remarks recently attributed to a Supreme Court judge, who expressed concern about the importance of upholding the law within the judiciary. The organization questioned how citizens can maintain confidence in the justice system if judgments are unduly delayed.
Legal analysts say delayed judgments have long been a concern for the justice sector, with calls for reforms to ensure timely delivery of decisions in cases that touch on constitutional and governance matters.
CHRDI concluded by stressing the need for stronger respect for both local and international laws that safeguard citizens’ rights, adding that delays risk undermining public trust in democratic institutions.
