A Dawn Interrupted: The Fight for the Soul of the Bar
August 1, 2026
Freetown
It was supposed to be a new dawn for the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA). Instead, the gates of the Bintumani Hotel in Aberdeen remained closed, and the voices of the nation’s legal minds were silenced by the very authorities meant to protect their rights.
In a scene more befitting a political showdown than a professional gathering, the Sierra Leone Police barricaded the entrance to the Freetown International Conference Centre, effectively canceling the much-anticipated Annual General Meeting (AGM). The reason? A vague and unsatisfying reference to “circumstances beyond our control” and “security concerns” from Assistant Inspector General Sylvester Koroma. The legal fraternity, and the nation, are left scratching their heads, waiting for a statement from the Sierra Leone Police to clarify the rationale behind such a heavy-handed intervention.
Martina Egbenda: A Voice Silenced, But Not Deterred
MARTINA EGBENDA
Among the crowd of disappointed lawyers was Martina Baindu Egbenda, a woman who had been “fired up” and ready to lead. As the leading presidential candidate, her “Uniting the Bar” campaign has swept across the nation, from the northern districts of Bombali to the eastern reaches of Kono, promising a restoration of dignity and unity to a profession that has seen better days.
Her vision of “One Bar, One Voice, One Commitment” has resonated deeply with lawyers who yearn for a return to the SLBA’s glory days as the most effective pressure group and the voice of the voiceless in Sierra Leone.
While she is equally disappointed by the “unfortunate situation” that has robbed the association of its democratic exercise, Martina Egbenda remains the beacon of objective and unifying leadership the Bar so desperately needs.
Setting the Record Straight: Baseless Allegations Must Be Rejected
In the midst of this regrettable episode, it has become necessary to address the utterly baseless and unfounded allegations leveled by the now-resigned Public Relations Officer, Alfred Kamanda. In what can only be described as an unethical and scandalous display on live broadcast, Mr. Kamanda recklessly suggested that the cancellation was a calculated ploy designed to install Martina Egbenda as President of the SLBA. This accusation is not only misleading but deeply offensive to every principle of fairness and due process that the legal profession holds sacred. To set the record straight: only qualified, registered, and fully paid-up members are entitled to vote and elect a president of the Bar. Martina Egbenda has not, and will not, collude or conspire with any individual, group, or public entity to take undue advantage for the purpose of being elected at all costs. Her integrity is beyond reproach, and her distinguished record as a legal practitioner with an unblemished career speaks volumes without the need for desperate and irresponsible fabrications. Such reckless statements do a disservice to the profession and only serve to distract from the real issues at hand. We call on well-meaning members of the Bar to reject these baseless claims and focus instead on the urgent need for transparent leadership and institutional renewal.
A Legacy of Advocacy Under Threat
Historically, the Sierra Leone Bar Association has been a formidable force for justice and good governance. During the turbulent days of the 1970s and beyond, the Bar was often the only entity brave enough to speak for the voiceless, representing journalists and citizens against state repression and defending the rule of law. It was an institution revered as the guardian of the Constitution.
Today, that legacy is under threat. The cancelation of the AGM, following a pattern of internal disputes and alleged external interference, raises serious questions about the independence of the legal profession. This is not just about a postponed meeting; it is about preserving the integrity of an institution central to Sierra Leone’s democracy.
A Call for Transparency and a New Dawn
The Sierra Leone Police are expected to put out a statement to give clarification on the matter to the leadership of the BAR and the general membership. We await this explanation, hoping for a speedy resolution and a clear timeline for the next date for the AGM.
As we yearn for a new dawn that will reunite the Bar, Martina Egbenda stands as the candidate capable of mending the divisions and restoring the SLBA to its rightful place as the “most effective voice of the voiceless.” Her leadership promises not just to heal a fractured profession, but to ensure that the Bar remains the bastion of the rule of law it was always meant to be.
The rights of the people are too important to be left to the confusion of a canceled meeting. The fight for justice continues.
(C) Team Martina Egbenda
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