Lawyers Fear Disenfranchisement
Treasurer Satto in yellow attending the event in Makeni
Lawyers of the Sierra Leone Bar Association have raised concerns over delays in the processing of membership payments ahead of the upcoming Bar elections.
Members say the absence of the Treasurer Satto Kobba, who is responsible for finalising eligibility and updating the voters’ register, is affecting their ability to complete registration.
The Treasurer reportedly indicated she was attending an off-site engagement.
Some lawyers argue that the situation could deny eligible members their right to vote, as the registration process is expected to close today, May 29.
They questioned why alternative arrangements were not made to ensure continuous processing of payment slips.
Senior members, including Nicky Spencer-Coker Esq and Margaret Murray Esq, expressed frustration over repeated visits to the office without being able to complete the process.
They described the situation as disruptive to the electoral process.
Meanwhile, reports circulating on social media suggest the Treasurer was attending external engagements outside Freetown during the same period.
In a separate statement, Martina Baindu Egbenda, a presidential candidate in the Bar elections, described the situation as “deeply disappointing,” calling for improved professionalism, accessibility, and accountability in the administration of the Association.
She urged members to remain calm, continue using official payment channels, and maintain unity as efforts continue to resolve outstanding issues ahead of the elections.
Martina is contesting against incumbent Tuma Jabbie in the June 6 polls in Lungi.
