The General Legal Council (GLC), the statutory body that regulates the legal profession in Sierra Leone, has waded into the controversy surrounding the detention of All People’s Congress (APC) Lead Counsel, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK), for contempt of the Supreme Court.
In a press statement dated 8th October 2026, signed by its Secretary, Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq., and authorized by its Chairman, Ibrahim Kanneh Esq., the Council expressed concern over the altercation between JFK and the Supreme Court bench.
The Council said it has been closely following the landmark proceedings on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2025, and welcomed the public interest the matter has generated.
It also commended the Judiciary for accrediting media houses to live-stream the proceedings to Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad, and applauded lawyers on both sides – from the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and those representing the applicants – for seeking judicial interpretation through the Court.
However, the Council stated, “Council, as a regulatory body, is however concerned over those moments of altercations between learned counsel, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) and the Bench which has now led to contempt of court and a subsequent custodial punishment.”
The GLC described JFK’s conduct over the past two days as “quite discourteous and misrepresentative of the legal profession,” noting that it was particularly concerning when displayed before the highest court of the land and against the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, who doubles as President of the Supreme Court.
The regulatory body reminded all legal practitioners of Rule 4(2) of the Legal Practitioners (Code of Conduct) Rules, 2010, which provides that: “A legal practitioner shall act courteously and respectfully towards all persons with whom he has professional contact, including judges, other legal practitioners, court staff, litigants, witnesses and clients.”
In a conciliatory tone, the Council appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider the custodial sentence.
“In the interest of progress of the matter and in the spirit of the good working relationship between the Bar and the Bench, the GLC calls on the Supreme Court to reconsider its custodial punishment when the proceedings resume, or at any time practicable before the next date of hearing,” the statement concluded.
JFK, a former Attorney-General, was remanded at the Male Correctional Centre on Thursday morning after the Court deemed his apology over remarks made on Wednesday inadequate. His bail hearing could not hold after the judges failed to sit in the afternoon.
The constitutional reference, which has been adjourned to Tuesday, 13th October 2026, seeks to determine whether Parliament met the required two-thirds threshold to enact the controversial amendment bill.