Fatima Babih, EdD
On 8 October 2026, lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) was ordered into custody by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Komba Kamanda, for contempt of court. It happened while he was representing the opposition in constitutional proceedings before the Supreme Court. As far as I know, he remains in detention.
This evening, I have formally asked independent United Nations human rights bodies to examine his detention. My full letter is published below. I am inviting concerned Sierra Leoneans to join me.
This is not simply about JFK
It is about the rights of every Sierra Leonean. It is about the independence of our legal profession. And it is about the safeguards that must exist whenever judicial power is used to take away a person’s liberty.
Courts have the power to punish contempt. No one disputes that. But no institution is exempt from the principles of fairness, impartiality, proportionality, and respect for fundamental human rights.
Sierra Leone has been bound by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since 1996. Its protections include freedom from arbitrary detention and the right to a fair hearing before an impartial tribunal. These protections belong to every citizen, whatever their politics.
What We Must Ask For
We are not asking the United Nations to declare anyone guilty without investigation. We are not asking it to rule on the constitutional case or to punish any judge.
We are asking independent UN experts to examine one question: were these fundamental protections respected in JFK’s detention?
You do not have to belong to the APC. You do not have to support JFK politically. You only need to believe that fundamental rights and procedural safeguards should apply to everyone.
Judicial independence and judicial accountability are not opposites. They must go together. Today the concern is JFK. Tomorrow, the same safeguards may be needed to protect you, your family, or your neighbor.
How To Raise Your Voice
Any person can write to the UN Human Rights Special Procedures. If you share these concerns, I encourage you to send your own request for examination.
- Send it to: urgent-action@ohchr.org
- Address it to the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.
- Write in your own words. Explain who you are and why this matters to you. Personal, sincere letters carry more weight than copies of the same text.
- Stick to facts you can support. Say where your information comes from, such as news reports. Be clear about what is reported and what is confirmed.
- Keep it respectful. Make no personal attacks and no claims you cannot back up. Credibility is our strongest tool.
Let us raise our voices through lawful, peaceful, and evidence-based civic action.
Read My Full Letter
