JUSTICE ON TRIAL: THE LEGAL AND MORAL BATTLE OF MRS ISATA NICOL and HER CHILDREN
By Frank Jones
In a disturbing case that cuts to the heart of justice, equity, and the rights of women and children, Mrs. Isata Nicol, the legally wedded wife of prominent Sierra Leonean medical doctor, Dr. Sylvester Nicol, is facing what many legal analysts and rights advocates are calling a blatant miscarriage of justice. Currently before Magistrate Jusu of Court No. 8 at the Pademba Road Court, the matter revolves around Dr. Nicol’s attempt to eject his wife and two young children—aged 10 and 6—from their matrimonial home at No. 1 Nicol Close, Baw Baw Village, Western Rural District.
A Marriage Undone by Deceit and Force
Despite no legal divorce or separation being finalized, Dr. Nicol has employed aggressive tactics to remove his wife and children from their home. In February 2025, in an alarming display of hostility, he reportedly brought thugs to forcefully eject his family, throwing their belongings into the street. The incident was reported by Mrs. Nicol at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), but her pleas for justice have been largely met with indifference.
Repeated invitations by CID officers to Dr. Nicol were ignored. Likewise, calls for mediation by the Legal Aid Board were met with silence. This blatant disregard for due process reflects a disturbing pattern of impunity.
A Sham Court Process
More troubling is how the legal system appears to have been manipulated. In court, Dr. Nicol and his lawyer, Charles Abass Bangura of Edrina Chambers, presented the house as a “family property,” falsely describing Dr. Nicol as a tenant rather than the owner.
This strategic distortion of facts was used to position both Dr. and Mrs. Nicol as mere tenants—setting the stage for an eviction order that would strip Mrs. Nicol and her children of their only home.
What’s more, the eviction ruling was issued in her absence—without notice of summons, without appearance, and without representation.
Ironically, no notice of hearing was sent to Mrs Nicol ; neither the usual procedural 4 days ejectment notice was served to the poor and vulnerable Mrs Nicol to vacate the premises in question.
As argued by her Legal Aid Board lawyer, no court bailiff testified to having served her, and no proof of service was tendered in court.
This flies in the face of fundamental legal principles.
Legal Maxims Violated
One of the cornerstones of justice is the Latin maxim: audi alteram partem—“let the other side be heard.” In this case, that principle was egregiously violated.
The ruling was made without hearing from the wife, and without verifying that she had even been summoned. This is a gross abuse of procedural fairness.
Another critical maxim, nemo debet esse judex in propria causa—“no one should be a judge in their own case”—was undermined when Dr. Nicol, the owner of the house, falsely acted as a tenant while his family lawyer sought to evict him and his wife.
In a well-orchestrated legal performance, a second, junior lawyer stood in for Dr. Nicol and failed to object to the eviction, effectively enabling the scheme to succeed.
A Mother Abandoned, Two Children at Risk
The emotional toll on Mrs. Nicol and her children is devastating. Stripped of shelter, financial support, and the promise of marital protection, she has been left to fend for herself and the children alone. Dr. Nicol has refused to pay child maintenance, ignoring interventions from CID, Legal Aid, and the Ministry of Social Welfare. His only half-hearted compliance came two months after CID ordered him to return the household belongings and provide support—a delay that further highlights his disregard for his legal and moral responsibilities.
A Broken Promise and a Future in Limbo
Years ago, Dr. Nicol persuaded his wife to leave her business in Ghana and settle with him in Sierra Leone, promising a better life.
That promise has since unraveled into verbal abuse, abandonment, and threats.
He now claims he will build a new house for her and rent an interim residence, yet has provided no proof of land, construction plans, or intent. Unsurprisingly, Mrs. Nicol does not trust him—a position validated by his history of broken promises and contempt for formal mediation processes.
The Judiciary Must Act
The court, particularly Magistrate Jusu, now has a duty to correct this miscarriage of justice. The ruling to eject Mrs. Nicol must be vacated, and a rehearing scheduled with full representation and proper notice. Any eviction order made in the absence of due process must be nullified.
The rights of a legally wedded wife and the welfare of two innocent children must not be sacrificed on the altar of procedural expediency or legal manipulation.
Moreover, Sierra Leone’s judiciary and justice institutions must take a stand against the growing trend of spousal abuse hidden behind legal technicalities.
Family law, child protection statutes, and basic human decency all demand accountability in this matter.
It’s now a common practice of abject disdain and levity in Sierra Leone where men of high positions and money take advantage over poor women : it could be called that in the last few months ; the Minister of Works Dr Dennis Sandy has been in this same situation where he kicked out and maltreated his legally wedded wife and forged documents to claim that he had long divorced the poor Mrs Sandy .
Dr Sandy is reported to have heaped several physical and emotional abuse on his wife and has been boasting that nothing will come out of it .
And the very laws and the justice system are now covering the Minister to protect him.
Mrs Sandy case files are gathering dusts at the Ministry of Social welfare and the courts systems . The police have refused to investigate or invite the Minister of works for questioning.
This is the daily pains women go through in Sierra Leone now a days .
Men in political and wealth positions abuse their wives , children and girlfriends and the state is there to protect these powerful men .
Recommendations for Justice:
1. Immediate Stay of Eviction – The court should place a hold on any eviction action until a full, fair trial is conducted.
2. Verification of Service – A full investigation should be launched into how judgment was passed without confirmed notice of service.
3. Child Support Enforcement – Legal actions must be taken to compel Dr. Nicol to fulfill his financial obligations to his children.
4. Protection Order for Mrs. Nicol – Given the history of threats and violence, the court should consider a restraining order against Dr. Nicol.
5. Ministry of Social Welfare Re-engagement – The Ministry must urgently re-open this case and provide psychosocial and logistical support to Mrs. Nicol and her children.
6. Review of Lawyer Conduct – The Bar Association should investigate the apparent conflict of interest and deceptive representation by Lawyer Bangura and his associates.
This is not merely a domestic dispute—it is a test case for Sierra Leone’s commitment to gender justice, legal integrity, and the rule of law. As a society, we must ask: will we allow a woman and her children to be discarded like property in their own home, or will we stand for justice, accountability, and compassion?
The nation watches. Justice for Isata Nicol is justice for every woman facing silent abuse in Sierra Leone.
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