Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has expressed concerns over the General Legal Council's (GLC) decision to appeal for leniency in the contempt sentence imposed on senior lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, popularly known as JFK. In a press statement dated October 11, 2026, Blyden argued that the Council's appeal contradicts its responsibility to regulate professional conduct and enforce ethical standards among legal practitioners. The GLC had condemned Kamara's conduct during proceedings relating to the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Act, 2025.
The GLC, in a statement issued on October 8, 2026, described Kamara's exchanges with the Supreme Court bench as "quite discourteous and misrepresentative of the legal profession." However, the Council also appealed to the Supreme Court to reconsider the custodial punishment, citing the need to maintain a good working relationship between the Bar and the Bench. The appeal was made in a statement authorised by the GLC Chairman, Ibrahim Kanneh, and signed by its Secretary, Victor Idrissa Lansana.
Blyden stated that the Council's intervention failed to distinguish between punishment for contempt of court and professional disciplinary proceedings, which she described as separate matters. She further argued that the GLC had no statutory mandate to influence the Supreme Court's exercise of its contempt jurisdiction, referring to Sections 120(3) and 120(5) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
The former presidential aspirant also questioned whether the Council would have made the same appeal if the lawyer involved were an ordinary practitioner rather than a prominent politician. Blyden called on the GLC leadership to demonstrate consistency in enforcing professional standards, regardless of a lawyer's political standing. This move by Blyden has sparked a debate about the role of the GLC in regulating the legal profession.
Kamara, a former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, was detained on October 8, 2026, after the Supreme Court ruled that his response to a demand for an apology over remarks made during the constitutional proceedings was inadequate. The dispute arose during hearings concerning challenges to the passage of the 2025 constitutional amendment legislation.
The Supreme Court subsequently adjourned the constitutional proceedings to Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The substantive case concerns the legal requirements for passing the constitutional amendments. Kamara's detention has raised concerns about the relationship between the Bar and the Bench in Sierra Leone.
The issue has garnered significant attention, with many questioning the GLC's decision to appeal for leniency. Blyden's criticism of the GLC's move has sparked a national conversation about the importance of upholding professional standards in the legal profession. The outcome of the case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the country's justice system.
Key points
- Dr. Sylvia Blyden criticizes General Legal Council's appeal for leniency in Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara's contempt sentence
- General Legal Council's decision sparks debate about its role in regulating the legal profession
- The case has raised concerns about the relationship between the Bar and the Bench in Sierra Leone
