His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards
As part of the unprecedented reforms to make the Judiciary of Sierra Leone an envy in the sub-region, the World Justice Rule of Law Index Report has placed Sierra Leone high above Egypt, Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Uganda, Ethiopia, Mali, Cameroon, Sudan, Congo, Mozambique, Mauritania and other countries with 18th position among 34 African Countries.
In the world, Sierra Leone made an impressive leap ahead of Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Russia, Iran, Cambodia, Myanmar, Turkiye, Honduras and Haiti among others.
Over the years, the Judiciary of Sierra Leone was not considered in any of the international indexes.
Even though the Global Rule of Law Index asserted that for the sixth year in a row, the rule of law has declined in most countries, Sierra Leone has been steady in its progress.
Sierra Leone’s access to justice drive under His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards has received a lot of commendations with many people accessing the Courts now than ever before. Apart from the commendations from the Governing Council of the African Bar Association, Sierra Leone’s Chief Justice Edwards has been commended for the impressive reforms in the Judiciary with an unwavering commitment to expeditious delivery of justice.
“People are celebrating this remarkable gain, but I don’t need to celebrate because I’m just doing what is right,” said Honourable Chief Justice Edwards, adding, “We must uphold the Constitution and adjudicate over matters, civil and criminal, to promote national peace, security and development.”
He said, “We are ready to do more.”The Global Rule of Law Index Report assessed Sierra Leone’s Civil and Criminal Justice system as well as the protection of fundamental Human Rights for persons accessing the Courts.
