There was high drama at the Supreme Court this morning when the Chief Justice, His Lordship Komba Kamanda, ordered All People’s Congress (APC) lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) to remove his wig and enter the dock.
The order came after a heated exchange over an apology JFK was asked to make for comments he made yesterday during the hearing of the 2025 Constitutional Amendment case.
What happened in court today?
The court went on a 15-minute recess this morning to allow JFK to reconsider his position and offer an apology.
When the court resumed, JFK was called to the bar. He stood up, apologised to the bench and said he retracts the statement he made yesterday.
But Chief Justice Kamanda ruled that the way JFK delivered the apology “did not amount to an apology.” The CJ said the apology was not sincere and showed no remorse.
He then ordered: “Remove your wig and proceed to the dock.”
The courtroom went silent. Police officers were called inside to escort the former Attorney-General and former APC presidential aspirant to the dock – the place where accused persons stand, not senior lawyers.
In an emotional moment, as he was being led away, JFK turned to his colleagues at the Bar and said:
“Members of the Bar, I will be back.”
The atmosphere became tense. Senior lawyers, including veteran Sulaiman Borbor Kabba, stood up and tried to beg for JFK. They asked for audience with the Chief Justice to intervene on his behalf. Their request was turned down.
Even the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, who is on the opposite side of the case, joined the intervention. He asked the Chief Justice to allow a short recess so the matter could be discussed in chambers (behind closed doors). The Chief Justice agreed to a brief adjournment.
Where did this all start?
This whole saga started yesterday, Day One of the hearing.
JFK, who is representing APC MP Hon. Osman Timbo and others challenging the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, argued that the Office of the Attorney-General had no right to participate and to apply for consolidation of three cases, because the AG failed to file key documents including a Statement of Case and Statement of Defence as required by Rule 92(1) of the Supreme Court Rules, 1982.
The argument annoyed the bench. Chief Justice Kamanda told JFK that “This Court is not a political forum” and reminded lawyers that the Supreme Court is founded on independence and integrity.
Yesterday the Court overruled JFK’s preliminary objections and allowed the consolidation of the three cases – the reference from President Bio, the reference from Speaker Segepoh Thomas, and the case filed by the APC.
JFK’s comments yesterday were seen by the bench as questioning the integrity of the Court and the AG’s Office.
In Sierra Leone legal practice, when a lawyer is ordered to remove his wig, it means he is no longer recognised as counsel before the court at that moment. Being ordered to the dock is the highest form of rebuke and can be a step towards contempt proceedings.
What next?
Following the intervention by the Bar and the AG, the constitutional matter – which is about whether 97 votes are enough to amend the non-entrenched provisions of the 1991 Constitution or whether 100 votes (two-thirds) is required under Section 108 – has now been adjourned to *Tuesday, 13 October 2026*.
JFK remains a senior member of the APC and was Attorney-General under former President Ernest Bai Koroma. He contested the APC flagbearership in 2018 and 2023.
Lawyers outside the court described today’s incident as “unprecedented in recent times” and called for calm.
The Supreme Court has not yet issued a formal statement on whether contempt proceedings will be brought against JFK.
