By Francis H. Murray
Justice Sengu Koroma of High Court No 1 has overruled the application of the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) for a change of Judge in the ongoing Parliamentary election petition cases, over lack of enough evidence.
Justice Koroma in his ruling on Wednesday said that there was no evidence put before the court by counsel of the plaintiffs suggesting the involvement of Justice Ansumana Ivan Sesay in any political activity of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) after his appointment by President Julius Maada Bio.
The ruling comes after the lead lawyer for the nine former APC Members of Parliament who lost their seats in May 2019 filed an application calling for one of the three judges hearing the appeal to step down from presiding over the cases, citing his alleged connection to the incumbent Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
Ady Macauley, during his application, argued that Justice Sesay between 2007 and 2012 contested for a parliamentary seat in constituency 086 at Rotifunk in Moyamba as a member of the SLPP, which in his view made it improper for Justice Sesay to adjudicate in a matter of an election petition appeal between candidates of APC as appellants and the SLPP as respondent.
Justice Sesay was first appointed by President Koroma to the position of a high court judge and subsequently approved by the house of parliament consisting both members of SLPP and APC. He was later reappointed by President Bio after he assumed office.
Justice Koroma however noted that his ruling would also restore public trust in the judiciary to administer justice.
Much of the hearing concerning APC’s challenge against Justice Sesay presiding on this petition case has been done behind closed doors.
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