Rebuttal: NCCPA Confirms Moral Collapse of Civil Society Organizations in Sierra Leone

by Dr. Fatima Babih

The National Consortium of Civil Society Organisations on Public Accountability’s (NCCPA) defense of an alleged predator confirms the moral collapse of civil society organizations in Sierra Leone. The recent declaration by NCCPA in defense of suspended Appeals Court Judge and university lecturer Justice Momoh Jah Stevens is not only irresponsible, it is dangerous.

By choosing to publicly vindicate an alleged sexual predator in the midst of ongoing legal proceedings involving a young woman under his influence and authority, the NCCPA has confirmed what many Sierra Leoneans have long suspected: This group is not committed to protecting victims, it is operating to safeguard the powerful at the expense of the vulnerable in Sierra Leone.

A Civil Society Body That Behaves Like a Defense Team for Predators

Civil society groups are meant to protect the public, encourage transparency, and hold institutions accountable, not intimidate victims, pre-judge active cases, or lobby for impunity.

Instead of waiting for the courts to determine the matter, NCCPA issued a verdict of their own:

• Calling for the “unconditional reinstatement” of an accused high court judge.
• Demanding a gag order on Ms. Jamiru, effectively silencing a 20-year-old alleged victim.
• Insisting that she issue a public apology, before a court has even ruled on her allegations.

This is not civil society work. It is a direct attack on justice in Sierra Leone. It is the weaponization of public advocacy to shield the powerful.

The Consortium’s Statement Endangers Young Women Nationwide

By trying to silence Ms. Jamiru, NCCPA has sent a chilling message to every girl and young woman in Sierra Leone:

If you speak out against the abuse of a powerful man, civil society will help destroy your credibility before the courts even listen.

This is nothing short of a public endorsement of predatory behavior.

Discrediting Trauma Survivors Is a Classic Tactic of Abusers

That the coalition chose to highlight alleged “past accusations” by a traumatized rape survivor, who Justice Stevens allegedly started sexually exploiting when she was 16-years old, while not once acknowledging her vulnerability, is a shameful example of victim re-traumatization.

NCCPA’s statement never once referenced:

• Edwina’s status as a university student.
• Her past experience as a survivor of sexual assault.
• Her child who has now been proven by DNA to be fathered by Justice Stevens.

Instead, NCCPA positioned itself as the judge and jury, hoping Sierra Leoneans would accept their ruling.

Sierra Leone’s Moral Compass Cannot Be Sold to the Highest Authority

If this is what civil society has become, defending power instead of protecting vulnerable people, then Sierra Leone is in a moral crisis.

Today NCCPA stands as proof that: Sierra Leone is a society where influence is valued over innocence, and where civil protection is traded for civil silence.

If so-called accountability organizations choose to protect alleged predators rather than demanding a properly investigated process, then they have abandoned their mandate. They deserve to be called evil society organizations.

This matter is before the judiciary. The DNA proved paternity. Questions remain about:

• The power imbalance.
• The potential exploitation of a young woman.
• The ethical responsibility of Justice Stevens, a married public official.

NCCPA has no authority to deliver exoneration or demand silence. To do so is to undermine justice before it has run its course.

Let it be made abundantly clear:

• Civil society that defends the powerful while silencing the powerless is no longer civil and no longer serving society.
• This public stance by NCCPA invites impunity and emboldens future abusers and predators.
• It puts every girl, young woman and aspiring student in Sierra Leone at high risk.

Shame on the NCCPA for choosing to protect reputation over rights.

Shame for attacking a vulnerable young woman instead of calling for independent inquiry.

A Sierra Leone where justice favors the powerful is a Sierra Leone headed for further decay!!

#Wewillnotbesilent.
#We stand with Edwina Jamiru.
#We stand with every girl who speaks against exploitation.
#And we stand against any organization that weaponizes advocacy to silence truth.

Reference

CSO Consortium Demands Immediate Reinstatement of Justice Momoh Jah Stevens