By Abdul Kamara

Sierra Leone’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq, has assured citizens that the government is determined to modernize the country’s justice system while pushing forward the long-awaited Constitutional Review Process. He was speaking during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s Civic Day Series, where he addressed stakeholders drawn from across Bombali District.

In his remarks, Mr. Sesay announced that the new Criminal Procedure Act 2024 had officially come into effect that same day, replacing a law that had been in place for over three decades. The outdated legal framework, he explained, had been a major obstacle to effective justice delivery, often resulting in court backlogs and delays.

The new Act, he said, introduces reforms designed to make trials faster, fairer, and more accessible to every Sierra Leonean, including those living outside Freetown.

“The Criminal Procedure Act 2024 is not just a replacement of old laws; it is a tool to strengthen justice delivery across the country,” Sesay told residents, adding that the law is designed to restore public trust in the justice system. He pointed to recent incidents, such as robbery cases in Bo and the killing of a Reverend Father in Kenema, as examples that will now be prosecuted under the improved legal framework.

Turning to the Constitutional Review Process, Mr. Sesay reminded citizens that it has been an ongoing national effort since the Lomé Peace Agreement of 1999. He paid tribute to the late Justice Edmond Cowan, who chaired the Constitutional Review Committee and led nationwide consultations involving more than 10,000 Sierra Leoneans. Sesay stressed that the exercise is not the work of a single administration but has continued under three successive governments, showing a spirit of continuity and national ownership.

He noted that the revised Constitution would enshrine fundamental rights and preserve landmark policies such as free quality education, which he described as a legacy to be protected for generations to come. A new governance chapter, currently being drafted, is expected to focus on transparency, accountability, and checks on state power. Once completed, the draft will be presented to Parliament before being put to the people for approval.

Above all, Sesay emphasized that citizens’ voices would remain central to the entire process. “This Constitution will not belong to the government; it will belong to the people of Sierra Leone,” he declared, drawing strong applause from the gathering.

The event in Makeni formed part of a series of civic engagements taking place nationwide, aimed at ensuring Sierra Leoneans understand and participate in the reforms shaping the country’s democratic future.