Sierra Leone: High Court set to hold its first ever sittings in Eastern and North– West Province

By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma [caption id="attachment_102018" align="alignnone" width="1042"] His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards[/caption]  The High Court of Sierra Leone is set to hold its first ever court sittings in the Eastern and North-West Province in the country from the 7^th -15 November 2022, a statement from the Judiciary said. Segbwema Town, in Kailahun District will have 14 cases and in Kambia Town, Kambia District with 24 cases to be dealt with by the high court. ‘’To achieve this, the Chief Justice has assigned the Resident Judge of Kailahun District and the Resident Judge of Port Loko District to preside over these cases brought before the High Court,’’ the statement added. The Judiciary added that, in its nationwide access to justice drive, the November High Court Criminal Sessions will be held in Mattru Jong with 16 cases, Pujehun 18 cases, Magburuka 30 cases, Mongo Bendugu 6 cases, Bunumbu 3 cases and Koindu 4 cases from the 7^th to the 22nd November 2022. ‘’This move is part of the Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards’ commitment to enhance access to justice and to further decongest correctional centers by ensuring that accused persons have the opportunity to be tried expeditiously in their respective localities,’’ the release noted. According to the Judiciary, litigants who have cases before the High Court in Mattru Jong, Pujehun, Magburuka, Mongo, Bunumbu and Koindu and its environs should be present in Court from the 7^th to the 22^nd November, 2022 at 9:00am prompt. ‘’These High Court Criminal Sessions are fully funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone courtesy of the Government of Sierra Leone and geared towards improving access to Justice. It is held in places where there are no sitting Judges,’’