By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sierra Leone has officially turned the page on one of its most outdated laws with the public launch of the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024, signaling a new era for justice delivery in the country. The ceremony, held on Tuesday September 16, 2025 at the High Court in Freetown, brought together senior Government officials, judges, lawyers, police, and civil society groups, who described the development as one of the most transformative steps in the nation’s legal history.

The new law, which was signed by President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in October 2024, repeals and replaces the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965. For nearly sixty years, the old framework guided Sierra Leone’s courts, but it had long been criticized as inadequate for the realities of a modern justice system. Its limitations, ranging from prolonged pre-trial detentions to lack of provisions for digital evidence, made reform not just desirable, but urgent.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, addressed the gathering with a sense of pride and relief. He described the legislation as “the product of a 20-year journey” and a tribute to the persistence of countless reformers. “This law is not just a technical update; it is a foundation for fairness, transparency and efficiency,” Alpha Sesay declared. “Our citizens deserve a justice system that protects their rights while ensuring accountability and I am committed to seeing this Act fully implemented.”

Chief Justice, Komba Kamanda, echoed the sentiment, noting that the country had outgrown the provisions of the 1965 law. “We were operating with an outdated framework that failed to reflect today’s challenges,” he explained. “This Act recognizes human rights principles and aligns Sierra Leone with global best practices. It will transform the way justice is delivered.”

The Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, also welcomed the reforms, calling the day “historic.” He highlighted that police officers across the country had already undergone training sessions on the new procedures. “Our investigators and prosecutors are now better equipped to work within the Act’s provisions. This is a major step forward for law enforcement and justice delivery,” he said.

For decades, legal experts and human rights advocates criticized the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965 for undermining justice rather than advancing it. The law failed to address the complexities of modern criminal activity and was silent on critical issues such as digital evidence, forensic reports and cybercrime. It also allowed widespread abuses of pre-trial detention, with suspects often languishing in correctional facilities for years without trial.

Prison overcrowding became a chronic problem, worsened by the lack of alternative sentencing options. Trial delays, inconsistencies in procedures and limited protection of suspects’ rights eroded public confidence in the justice system. Critics argued that without reform, Sierra Leone risked entrenching inequality and injustice in its courts.

The Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 was crafted to address those long-standing weaknesses, offering what many describe as a “modernized blueprint” for justice.

The Act introduces sweeping changes that touch on nearly every aspect of criminal procedure in Sierra Leone.

- Timelines for detention: Individuals arrested for serious crimes must be brought before a court within 10 days, while those facing lesser charges must appear within 72 hours. This provision directly tackles arbitrary detention and ensures that suspects are not left in limbo.


- Arrest safeguards: The Act requires that suspects be informed of the reasons for their arrest. It prohibits excessive use of force, limits physical restraint and stipulates that body searches must be documented and conducted by officers of the same sex. Senior approval is required before such searches can take place.


- Recognition of modern evidence: The law allows courts to admit digital evidence, forensic reports and depositions, ensuring that cases involving cybercrime, corruption or cross-border offences can be prosecuted effectively.


- Victim rights and restitution: Courts are now empowered to order offenders to compensate victims or restore stolen property. In cases involving state funds or property, restitution is mandatory. This ensures victims are not left without remedies even after criminal trials.


- Alternative sentencing options: New measures such as suspended sentences, community service, deferred sentences and fines are available to judges, reducing reliance on custodial sentences and easing prison congestion.


- Improved trial management: The law sets timelines for trials, enhances indictment procedures and outlines clear rules for joinder of charges and defendants. It also expands jurisdiction to allow offences committed abroad by Sierra Leonean public officers to be tried locally.


- Mental health protections: The Act introduces procedures for dealing with defendants with mental health challenges, including mandatory medical reviews, transfers where necessary and protections against indefinite detention of mentally ill defendants.

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the new Act is its tilt toward restorative justice. By emphasizing victim compensation and introducing community service sentences, the legislation moves away from a purely punitive approach. Legal commentators see this as a recognition that justice must heal communities as well as punish offenders.

“This is a forward-looking law,” one analyst explained. “Restorative justice strengthens social cohesion. By compensating victims and offering rehabilitation, Sierra Leone is charting a course that benefits the entire society.”

By aligning with international best practices, the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 , positions Sierra Leone as part of a growing wave of African nations updating their criminal laws to meet global standards. The recognition of forensic and digital evidence, in particular, ensures that Sierra Leone can effectively prosecute cybercrime, financial fraud and transnational offences that increasingly shape the modern legal landscape.

The reforms also reflect a conscious effort to balance state authority with individual rights, ensuring that law enforcement is empowered without eroding civil liberties.

Although the Act has now been formally launched, it will come into force only after the Attorney General issues a statutory instrument. This delay is intended to allow key justice institutions to prepare adequately for its application.

Civil society groups are already calling for wide-ranging public education campaigns to ensure citizens are aware of their rights under the new law. Training for magistrates, judges, police officers, and lawyers will be essential to ensure consistency across the justice chain.

Observers caution that the success of the reform will depend heavily on resources and political will. “The law is excellent on paper,” one activist noted. “But its real impact will depend on how seriously institutions enforce it and how well citizens understand their new protections.”

President Julius Maada Bio has consistently emphasized strengthening the rule of law as a key pillar of his administration. In signing the Act into law last year, he underscored its significance: “This is not simply about procedures; it is about justice itself. It is about creating a system that Sierra Leoneans can trust.”

Analysts suggest that the legislation may well stand as one of President Bio’s most enduring legacies, given its broad scope and potential to transform public perceptions of the justice system.

The launch event concluded with a performance by the Sierra Leone Police Band, adding a ceremonial flourish to what many participants described as a “moment of rebirth” for the country’s justice sector.

As stakeholders departed the High Court grounds, the message was clear: Sierra Leone’s justice system has entered a new phase. If fully implemented, the Criminal Procedure Act, 2024 could redefine how justice is delivered, how rights are protected, and how accountability is maintained in the years ahead.

Or as Attorney General Alpha Sesay aptly summarized: “This is a law for the people – for their protection, their dignity and their future. It marks the beginning of a justice system that truly belongs to every Sierra Leonean.” https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/sierra-leone-ushers-in-new-era-of-justice-with-criminal-procedure-act-2024/