Attorney General & Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq
Sierra Leone’s long-awaited Criminal Procedure Act 2024 has officially come into effect today, replacing the Criminal Procedure Act of 1965.
Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, confirmed the commencement of the new law, describing it as a major milestone in the country’s justice sector reform.
Over the past weeks, his ministry has been conducting training sessions for judges, magistrates, prosecutors, and police investigators to ensure a smooth transition.
The new Act introduces sweeping changes designed to make the criminal justice system more efficient and fair.
The reforms include shortening the time suspects spend within the justice process and providing greater protection for vulnerable witnesses.
They also involve replacing the traditional two-stage preliminary investigation process with committal proceedings, which require magistrates to decide within 28 days whether to commit a case to the High Court.
Furthermore, the reforms aim to allow courts to consider alternative sentencing options in place of custodial sentences for certain offences.
According to the AG, the new law is aimed at building a justice system that is ‘efficient, transparent, and accountable; one that does not criminalize poverty or status.
By Ishmail Saidu Kanu
