A groundbreaking decision hailed as a victory for justice and environmental protection has seen the Court of Appeals overturn a previous High Court ruling in the case of MAPO versus Koidu Limited, marking a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s legal and human rights landscape.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Labour Congress Hall in Freetown on Thursday, October 31, 2025, drawing widespread celebration from activists, legal practitioners and community representatives.

The appellate court’s ruling reaffirmed that communities affected by environmental degradation and human rights abuses have the right to be heard and to seek redress in court a decision that legal experts say will reshape accountability in Sierra Leone’s extractive industry.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Benedict Jalloh Esq., a prominent human rights lawyer and environmental advocate, described the judgment as “a turning point in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of justice.” He highlighted the long and difficult legal battle, which began in 2005, as an emblem of perseverance and the collective demand for fairness by mining-affected communities.

“This ruling is a landmark moment for access to justice,” Dr. Benedict Jalloh said. “The Court of Appeal has affirmed that where there is a wrong, there must be a right. No citizen is too poor to seek justice.”

Dr. Benedict Jalloh explained that many multinational mining companies have historically shielded themselves through complex foreign corporate structures, making it difficult for victims to pursue compensation or hold them accountable for pollution and displacement.

“For years, we have watched wealth leave our land while our people remain poor, polluted and powerless,” he said. “This judgment reminds us that the struggle for fairness is not over; it has just entered a new phase.”

The MAPO (Mining Affected Persons Organisation) case against Koidu Limited, a subsidiary of the Octea Group, centered on allegations of environmental damage, forced relocations  and violations of the rights of residents in the Kono District. The group, representing hundreds of families, had sought redress for loss of farmland, contamination of water sources and destruction of livelihoods caused by years of blasting and mining operations.

In his statement, Tamba Prince Boima, Chairman of MAPO, hailed the ruling as a triumph for ordinary Sierra Leoneans whose voices have too often been silenced.

“Our people have suffered for too long,” Tamba Prince Boima said passionately. “This victory is not just for lawyers; it is for every farmer, every fisherman, every mother and every child who dreams of a better future.”

He emphasized that the ruling should serve as a wake-up call for both Government regulators and mining companies to prioritize transparency, accountability and community welfare in all extractive operations.

“Accountability is not optional, justice is not negotiable and development must be for all,” he asserted. “The Government must ensure that companies operating in Sierra Leone respect both the people and the environment.”

The event attracted representatives from Civil Society Organizations, human rights groups, journalists and community stakeholders from across the country. Participants hailed the judgment as a step toward closing the long-standing justice gap between multinational corporations and the communities that host their operations.

Speakers at the event also called on the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enforce stricter compliance with environmental and human rights standards, warning that impunity within the mining sector continues to fuel inequality and poverty.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Benedict Jalloh commended the judiciary, particularly the Chief Justice and the panel of appeal judges, for what he described as “their courage and fairness in upholding the rule of law.”

“This ruling restores hope in our justice system,” he said. “But true justice must go beyond the courtroom. It must reach the people who live with the consequences of environmental abuse every day.”

Dr. Benedict Jalloh concluded by urging continued collaboration between communities, civil society and the legal fraternity to ensure that the ruling translates into tangible change on the ground.

“Let us build a Sierra Leone where justice is not a privilege but a right, where our natural resources benefit our people and where our children inherit a nation rooted in fairness, dignity and opportunity,” he affirmed.

The Court of Appeals’ decision in the MAPO vs. Koidu Limited case is widely viewed as a precedent-setting judgment; one that strengthens environmental governance, reinforces the rights of affected communities and signals a new era of corporate accountability in Sierra Leone’s mining industry. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/court-of-appeals-overturns-high-court-ruling-in-landmark-human-rights-case-mapo-vs-koidu-limited/