His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio presided over the official swearing-in ceremony of Mr Osman I. Kanu, Esq. as Solicitor-General of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The ceremony which also formally permitted Mr Kanu to assume his duties was conducted in line with the constitutional provision that empowers the President to make the appointment.
Mr Baba Fortune, Secretary to the President, explained the legal basis of the appointment by quoting Section 65(2) of the Sierra Leone Constitution, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991). He said it had pleased the President to appoint Mr Kanu to the position and that taking the oath was the necessary step for him to assume the duties of Solicitor General. With the formalities out of the way, Mr Kanu swore the oath of allegiance and assumed the duties of the office.
Mr Kanu in his acceptance speech thanked President Bio for trusting him. “It was an honour and a sacred responsibility to be appointed,” he said in his own words, adding that the choice was not for personal gain but for service. He reflected on the timing of the appointment and said that his appointment was on the Day of Arafah and he took the oath on the Day of Ashura, which he described as powerful reminders of faith, service, and accountability. My faith has been my compass on my professional journey and will continue to be so as I serve the people of Sierra Leone. ” “This appointment I see as a call to service, not a reward,” he said.
Mr Kanu said, “I pledge to uphold the rule of law, strengthen democratic governance and work to ensure that justice is accessible to all citizens with a focus on the most vulnerable.” His twenty-two years of experience in the Law Officers’ Department assured the President and the nation of his commitment to strengthen the institution and improve the effectiveness of the Attorney General’s Office.
President Bio congratulated Mr Kanu and spoke about the importance of the office of the Solicitor-General. The President said that the position comes with heavy responsibilities and urged the new appointee to respect the rule of law and the principle of justice. “I am confident that Mr Kanu will provide effective leadership and make a significant contribution to the continuing strengthening of Sierra Leone’s legal institutions,” he said. I would like to wish you success in the discharge of this important responsibility. You have my complete support. I am sure that with your wealth of experience you will make the office more effective and the institution more stronger.” Congratulates again”, President Bio said.
Solicitor-General: Mr Osman I. Kanu, a seasoned public servant, has been appointed. During his career, he has held the positions of State Counsel, Senior State Counsel, Head of the Civil Division and, most recently, Director of Public Prosecutions, a position he was appointed to by President Bio in 2023 and which he held until his promotion to Solicitor-General in June 2026. His appointment is another step towards strengthening the justice sector, showing the government’s commitment to the rule of law, accountability and effective public service delivery, officials said.
