President Maada Bio sends controversial bill to Sierra Leone Supreme Court

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐨 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐭

Freetown, Monday, 14 September 2026 – His Excellency, President Brigadier (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio, has taken a significant step regarding the “Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2026.” On 10 September 2026, the President received the Bill from the Clerk of Parliament seeking his assent.

Earlier, on 4 September 2026, the President had been presented with a petition from the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), which raised important constitutional questions about the Bill’s passage through Parliament.

The President has closely monitored the ongoing debates and the diverse opinions expressed regarding the Bill. He believes that legislation impacting the constitutional and democratic foundations of the nation should garner widespread support and be grounded in clear constitutional principles to foster trust and confidence among the citizens in the review process.

In light of this, and in accordance with Section 122(1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, President Bio has decided to refer the petition concerning the Bill to the Supreme Court for a judicial opinion. He has instructed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to oversee this referral process.

Furthermore, this announcement serves to inform the Clerk of Parliament that if a judicial opinion is not provided by the Supreme Court within fourteen days of the Bill’s presentation, the President will communicate his final decision to Parliament as soon as the opinion is received. This action underscores the President’s dedication to addressing matters of critical national significance with careful consideration, transparency, and adherence to our constitution.

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