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African Youth Network award AG and Legal Aid In marking this year’s World Humanitarian Day, the African Youth and Children’s Network  (AYCN) has recognized the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Joseph Kamara, the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles and Defence Counsel of the Legal Aid Board Cecilia Tucker for promoting access to justice. The National Coordinator for the Network, Alusine Bangura gave a short background to August 19 which is the date designated by the United Nations to honour aid workers who have lost their  lives in bringing relief to those caught up in crises around the world. Alusine said he is aware of the good work of the Board in providing legal assistance to the poor and less privileged especially young people. ‘I hope you continue to do more,’ he said. ‘We do not have money to give your organization but we can provide support in other areas.’ He praised the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice,

There were a total of 157 cases in the different courts; 120 cases in the High Court, 31 in the Magistrate courts and 6 in the Juvenile court. Out of a total of 232 indigents, 211 were male adults and 15 were female adults, 6 were male Juveniles and no female juveniles. Only 1 male adult was acquitted and discharged. 4 male adults were discharged for want of prosecution. 1 male adult was sentenced. 1 matter was committed to the High Court. There were three closed files as a result of revelations that they had private representations, which disqualified them as indigents. The acquitted and discharged indigent according to professions was a trader. The discharged indigents according to professions were 2 Security Workers, 1 Pupil and 1 Common Carrier (Wheelbarrow Pusher) The Acquitted and Discharged person was charged with Larceny in a Dwelling House. The Discharged persons were charged with the following crimes: 1 for Sexual Penetration, 2 for Conspiracy and Larceny and 1 for

Sorie Sesay is among the first set of clients of the Legal Aid Board to benefit from the partnership with the National Farmers Federation. The two had their first meeting on 14 July 2016 in which a cross section of the Executive of the Federation offered to assist with the reintegration of beneficiaries by providing them jobs on their farms. Sorie is proud for the opportunity to rebuild his life after spending three years and three months on remand at the Pademba Road Correctional Center on allegation of unlawful canal knowledge. The Board secured his discharge on 16 May 2016. Like many beneficiaries of the scheme, with no source of livelihood the transition into mainstream society had been tough for him. So, when the opportunity came, he grabbed it. Following the publication in the newspapers about the assistance the Federation is offering to beneficiaries of the scheme, Sorie wasted no time in rushing to the head office of the Board on Guma Building to declare his intere

Summary of Court Activities for the Week Ending Saturday 6 th August 2016 There were a total of 165 cases in the different courts; 125 cases in the High Court, 31 in the Magistrate courts and 9 in the Juvenile court. Out of a total of 235 indigents, 218 were male adults and 8 were female adults, 7 were male Juveniles and 5were female juveniles. Only 1 male adult was discharged as a result of sentenced and time served and only 1 male adult was put on bail. No cases were committed to the High Court there were no sentences. There were two closed files as a result of revelations that they had private representations, which disqualified them as indigents. The discharged indigents according to professions was a trader. The discharged person was charged with Wounding with Intent. In this matters, the accused person had spent more than time to be served. Consequently, after sentencing, the accused person was discharged pursuant to the relevant sections of the Constitution and

Michael, 20 is one of over seven hundred beneficiaries of legal aid in 2016. Michael’s case is unique. He is the second known beneficiary of the scheme to reoffend. The first known case is Amidu Bangura, 35.  He was charged with wounding with intent in June 2006 and spent nearly ten years on remand before the Legal Aid Board secured his discharge for want of prosecution on 30 March 2016.  Amidu reoffended and was arrested in June 2016 and detained at the Pademba Road Correctional Center for involving in a fight which left the other party sustaining serious injuries. In this instance, Amidu was not a priority to the Board because legal assistance is provided on a first come first serve basis. This means he has to wait until the hundreds of remand detainees needing legal aid are served first.   But as the heavens could have it, the police did not press charges against him. Michael was a test case for the Board. This is because the Board has to deal with an issue outside its ma

‘I would advise that after today’s workshop, steps would be taken to make the Guide a Statutory Instrument for it to have the force of law and bind all accredited legal aid providers. I would enjoin all participants to go through the draft Legal Aid Guide meticulously so as to make it a very good instrument in the furtherance of the work of the Board and the delivery of justice in our beloved country.’ Hon. Chief Justice, Abdulai Charm made these remarks at the endorsement meeting on the Legal Aid Guide held at the Cube Restaurant on Thursday, August 4. The Chief Justice intimated that the Judiciary’s continued involvement and willingness to participate in the work of legal aid institutions is not accidental rather it is founded on a strong legal basis because Section 120 of the national Constitution confers all judicial power in Sierra Leone on the Judiciary which is headed by the Chief Justice. The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanci

                                                                                         AG Counsel Legal Aid clients. The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Hon. Joseph Kamara told three newly discharged clients of the Legal Aid Board that they have another chance to start life. Hon. Kamara performed his first public function following the gruesome accident he was involved in by participating in pre-discharge counselling session at the Legal Aid Board head office on Tuesday, August 2. ‘You do not condemn a child to the very end,’ he said. ‘We do not see you as people who are condemned. We see you as victims like many others and this is why the Government is interested in your welfare.’ Hon. Joseph Kamara said the government will help to rehabilitate ex-convicts and remand detainees so that they become better people in society. He encouraged the three discharge persons to be committed in whatever trade they engage in. ‘If you want to become a mechanic, make sure you

Legal Aid Board Guide Post 28th & 29th July 2015. Finalization Workshop - Endorsement Meeting on Legal Aid Guide – 4th August 2016. At the Cube Restaurant. The Chair Person of the board, Board members, The Chief Justice, Consultants of the board. Staffs in freetown and in the regions (Bo, Kenema and Makeni) of the Legal Aid and other Partners are in attendance.