By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Newly appointed Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley Esq. has pledged to serve the People of Sierra Leone with the ideals of honour and integrity.
“I am pleased to inform you that I stand on the solid rock of determination and unmatched optimism in the execution of my duties. I shall do my utmost best to justify this trust by upholding the ideals of honours and integrity of this office,” he said.
He made the pledge when subscribing to the oath of office together with the new Solicitor-General, Robert Baoma Kowa Esq at a ceremony before President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown on Friday 21st January 2022.
The ceremony according to a report from the State House Communications Unit is provided for in Section 57 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone for public officers to make a public commitment to the duties, responsibilities, and obligations associated with holding public office.
The Attorney General added that he was happy and inspired by the confidence bestowed upon him by President Bio to serve in such a distinguished position, saying he had accepted the appointment as the thirteenth Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone.
“Together with senior colleagues and working staff at the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, we shall be committed to delivering justice across Sierra Leone, upholding the rule of law and protection of citizens’ human rights,” he assured.
In his statement, President Bio congratulated the new Minister and Solicitor-General, noting that the task ahead was enormous and difficult but was also pivotal to the government’s day-to-day running of the state.
“Good governance and supremacy of the law is important, and we want to operate within the confines of the law. I look up to you to advise the government and myself as we run the affairs of the state. I congratulate you both as I expect the best legal advice from you and your team. You can always rely on me, not for legal advice but political advice,” he concluded.
The appointment of the new Attorney General and Minister of Justice followed the sacking of then-Attorney- General and Minister of Justice Anthony Brewah who was part of the committee that presented and advised the president on a list having the names of inmates that were to be granted the usual presidential clemency that is done every 1st of January.
It turned out that one of the inmates, Mbaimba Moiforay alias LAC who was pardoned had just completed six years of a 25 year jail term and was also on a death sentence for the murder of a Disc Jockey Henry David Sydney Buckle also known as DJ Cleff. This led to public outrage on the process of selecting inmates to be pardoned. The president after two weeks revoked the clemency on LAC saying he has instituted an investigation committee to look into the matter. Lawyer Brewah was later on the 19th of January 2022 sacked after a leaked group photo of him and LAC at his hometown residence went viral on social media.
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