By Foday Moriba Conteh


The ECOWAS Court of Justice, in collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, on Monday, 28th July 2025, commenced a four-day capacity building training for State Attorneys in Sierra Leone. The training, being held at the Sierra Leone Law School, located within the Special Court Complex at New England in Freetown will run until Thursday 31st July, 2025 focusing on enhancing the capacity of State Attorneys in the Civil Division of the Attorney General’s Office, specifically focusing on the rules, practices and procedures of the ECOWAS Court of Justice.


In his remarks, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma, Vice President of the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice, praised Sierra Leone’s ongoing commitment to fulfilling its regional legal obligations, describing the country’s engagement with the Court as both consistent and commendable.


He revealed that the ECOWAS Court responded promptly and positively to a request from Sierra Leone’s Attorney General for training support, recognizing it as a clear demonstration of the country’s dedication to the principles enshrined in the revised ECOWAS Treaty.


“It is with great pleasure that we designed a program to meet the objectives outlined in that request and to establish networks that will strengthen the relationship between the Community Court and the Republic of Sierra Leone,” he said.


Reflecting on his dual role as Vice President of the Court and the first Sierra Leonean to attain such a position in the regional justice system, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma admitted that he initially had concerns about the logistical and resource arrangements. However, he expressed satisfaction that those concerns were unfounded due to the strong cooperation and support from the Attorney General, his deputy and the Director of Public Prosecution.


“Sierra Leone has consistently engaged the ECOWAS Court on various matters. Therefore, the State’s decision to enhance the capacity of its legal representatives is not only laudable but timely,” he added.


He emphasized the Court’s commitment to educating member states on Community law and jurisprudence, which he noted continues to expand with every legal session. Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma urged participants to seize the opportunity to deepen their understanding and to establish effective communication channels that will aid them in their duties.


“While the Court maintains a dedicated website that comprehensively captures its work, it is engagements like this that truly embody the spirit of the Community Court of Justice,” he concluded.


On behalf of the President and delegation of the ECOWAS Court, Justice Sengu Mohamed Koroma extended gratitude to the Attorney General, his team and the Government of Sierra Leone for their warm hospitality and unwavering commitment to regional justice cooperation.


Osman Ibrahim Kanu Esq., Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), underscored the critical importance of understanding human rights law in the context of the ECOWAS Court's expanding mandate.


Welcoming the ECOWAS Court delegation to Sierra Leone, DPP Osman Ibrahim Kanu described the training as both timely and essential. He noted that while the ECOWAS Court was initially created to resolve trade disputes among member states, its mandate has significantly widened particularly to include human rights violations by states.


“Human rights issues now cut across every aspect of people’s daily lives,” the DPP stated. “That gives the ECOWAS Court jurisdiction over nearly every area of state responsibility. As State Attorneys, we often find ourselves as the defendants in these matters, so it is crucial that we are well-equipped to respond.”


He emphasized the importance of the training in helping Attorneys not only defend the state effectively but also proactively advise Government institutions to avoid actions that may result in human rights violations.


“This workshop is key. Many of the cases filed in the ECOWAS Court are against member states. We need to understand the legal landscape fully in order to defend our country and guide it away from potential legal pitfalls,” he added.


Osman Ibrahim Kanu also expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Court of Justice for including Sierra Leone in this regional initiative, which has previously been implemented in other West African countries. He closed his remarks by urging participants to take full advantage of the training sessions and pledged to continue advocating for stronger legal capacity within the Ministry.


On his part, Alpha Sesay, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, emphasized the critical importance of strategic litigation and human rights awareness in strengthening Sierra Leone’s justice system. He expressed gratitude to the regional court for prioritizing legal capacity-building in Sierra Leone. “Thank you for the interest in helping to build capacity for the Law Officers Department,” he said, acknowledging that this was the second visit of the ECOWAS Court President to Sierra Leone.


The Attorney General stressed the evolving role of the ECOWAS Court and how its expanded mandate particularly regarding human rights violations requires deeper understanding and preparedness from State Attorneys. “From trade disputes, the court’s jurisdiction has widened significantly. It now touches on human rights issues that cut across nearly every facet of daily life,” he noted. “As state representatives, we are often the defendants in such cases. This training is vital.”


Alpha Sesay also drew on his personal experience, having previously been involved in human rights litigation against the state before assuming public office. “I’ve been on both sides,” he shared. “Before I was appointed Deputy Minister and now Attorney General, I filed cases before the ECOWAS Court and other regional mechanisms. Now I sit on the other side, working with the same colleagues to defend the state.”


He highlighted the importance of what he called “winning outside the courtroom,” noting that even when a case does not result in a favorable ruling, it can still serve as a catalyst for justice reform. “Judgments from the ECOWAS Court often carry directives that push Governments toward strengthening the rule of law and human rights protections,” he said.


While reaffirming the Government's commitment to defending itself in court,  Alpha Sesay also made it clear that Sierra Leone is committed to addressing underlying issues raised in such cases. “We will not turn a blind eye to the broader reforms that may be needed,” he assured. “Our goal is to ensure that citizens do not have to go to the ECOWAS Court in the first place, because justice will be accessible and effective at the national level.”


The Attorney General added that the Government remains focused on building long-term legal capacity, with the ECOWAS Court training being just one component of a broader vision. “We are investing in our legal workforce. We want our State Counsel to walk into any courtroom fully prepared, confident and equipped to represent the state with integrity and professionalism.” https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/ecowas-court-attorney-generals-office-commence-capacity-building-training-for-state-attorneys/