By Prince Musa
The people of Kenema in eastern Sierra Leone have praised the idea of setting-up a Legal Aid Board (LAB) office in the district, citing its potential to improve the justice system.
The leadership of the Board recently convened a consultative meeting with stakeholders at the District Council Hall on Nyandeyama Road in Kenema, during which the idea was formally presented to stakeholders.
Speaking at the occasion, James Mafinda, regional admin officer of the LAB East, said the purpose of meeting was to introduce the Board to the people and solicit their “much-needed support” to ensure it achieved its goals.
The LAB, established by an act of parliament in 2012, was designed to provide legal services to people who can’t afford a lawyer in court. It also provides free legal education.
LAB was a response to congestion in prisons across the country, a situation campaigners for justice attributed to the poor justice delivery system in the country. Since it began operation last year, the board has been working on expanding its presence across the country.
Joseph Samba Keifala, the Mayor of Kenema, said the advent of the LAB in the eastern region was “important and timely”. He described as “unique” the existence of the institution which provides opportunity for people in conflict with the law but do not have the ability to hire the services of a lawyer.
The Mayor noted that most inmates were in detention because of lack of legal representation in court. He cited the issue of bike riders who always encounter problems with traffic regulations and are taken to the correctional centre.
He urged the Legal Aid Board to consider reviewing the traffic regulation and related penalties.
Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hancilles [Pictured] told the meeting that government had thought it necessary to establish the LAB in response to international concerns over the high number of inmates at correctional centres across the country. She noted that most cases charged to court could be resolved through mediation and community engagement.
Augustine Sannoh, chairman of the civil society coalition in Kenema, remarked that injustice was reigning because the local courts were not operating effectively. He noted that for quite a long time there had been no resident magistrate, which had led to many people languishing in dentition. He assured LAB of their commitment to and support for them to ensure success.
On behalf of the Sierra Leone Police, Assistant Inspector General East, Alfred Karrow Kamara, said the LAB would be a help to the police as the number of cases charged to court could be cut down and some dealt with through mediation.
He also urged local leaders, like the chiefs, to co-operate with the LAB in ensuring justice prevails in the courts.
Copyright (c) Politico 2016
