Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas was absent from a Supreme Court hearing on constitutional amendments on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, due to illness. According to SLPP Member of Parliament Hon. Hindolo Moiwo Gevao, Thomas was suffering from a stomach illness described as a "running stomach." The hearing was part of a constitutional case arising from amendments recently passed by Parliament and referred to the Court by President Julius Maada Bio for judicial interpretation.
The Supreme Court commenced hearing objections to the amendments on Wednesday, with a five-member panel comprising Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, who is presiding, and Justices M.F. Deen Tarawally, Abdulai M. Bangurah, F.B. Alhadi and J.E.L. King. The Court considered a constitutional case arising from amendments recently passed by Parliament. The amendments were referred to the Court by President Bio on 14 September 2026 for judicial determination and interpretation.
The hearing was briefly interrupted after lead counsel for the opposition All People’s Congress (APC), Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, raised a procedural objection concerning a notice filed by the Office of the Attorney-General. Kamara questioned whether the state’s filings had complied with established court procedures, including whether the relevant documents had been properly served and formally placed before the Court.
The objection resulted in a tense exchange between Kamara and Chief Justice Komba Kamanda over compliance with court processes. The Chief Justice subsequently ordered a brief recess to allow the panel to review the procedural issues raised. The Court has adjourned the proceedings until Thursday, 8 October 2026, when the hearing is expected to continue.
The constitutional dispute follows Parliament’s recent passage of amendments, which President Bio referred to the Supreme Court for judicial determination and interpretation. The Supreme Court is tasked with interpreting the amendments and determining their constitutionality.
The absence of Speaker Thomas from the hearing was noted, with MP Gevao citing the Speaker's stomach illness as the reason. The Speaker's attendance at future hearings remains uncertain. The Supreme Court's decision on the constitutional amendments is expected to have significant implications for Sierra Leone's governance.
The case has sparked significant interest, with various stakeholders following the proceedings closely. The Supreme Court's interpretation of the amendments will provide clarity on the constitutionality of the changes and their potential impact on the country.
Key points
- Speaker Thomas misses Supreme Court hearing due to stomach illness
- Supreme Court considers constitutional amendments passed by Parliament
- Hearing adjourned until 8 October 2026 following procedural objection
