By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
A leading legal authority in Sierra Leone has lauded the Chief Justice for promptly placing Court of Appeal Justice Mohamed Momoh Jah-Stevens on administrative leave, a move described as a “bold decision” aimed at dismantling the pervasive “culture of impunity” within the judiciary.
Basita Michael, a prominent lawyer and former President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA), issued her remarks following the Judiciary’s announcement earlier this week. Justice Jah-Stevens was suspended and referred to the Judicial and Legal Service Commission (JLSC) due to troubling media reports regarding his personal life that jeopardized the integrity of the Judiciary.
Michael emphasized that Justice Jah-Stevens should have voluntarily resigned to uphold the dignity of the bench. Nonetheless, she praised the Chief Justice for demonstrating decisive leadership. “I commend the Chief Justice and the judiciary for showing rare courageous leadership by placing Justice Stevens on administrative leave and referring him to the JLSC for investigation,” she stated. “This bold decision signals hope in breaking with the culture of impunity, underscoring that the integrity of the judiciary must take precedence over personal interests.”
The controversy surrounding Justice Jah-Stevens intensified when he became the complainant in a criminal case involving his former partner, 21-year-old law student Edwina Hawa Jamiru. She faces charges under the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, including three counts of physical abuse and intimidation, related to alleged incidents that occurred in late August 2025 in Freetown.
Public interest in the case surged after Jamiru failed to appear in court on September 25, leading Magistrate Mamakoh Saio Kallon to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. In response, Jamiru released a video statement contesting the judge’s actions, claiming her court absence was due to Justice Jah-Stevens allegedly preventing her from attending. She further accused him of being a “deadbeat father,” withholding financial and emotional support for their child, and obstructing her pursuit of justice.
This legal battle is the latest chapter in a saga that began in late 2024 when Jamiru first claimed in a video that she had been in a longstanding romantic relationship with the judge, only to later allege that he had abandoned her.
Michael urged the JLSC to conduct a thorough, transparent, and fair investigation into Justice Jah-Stevens to bolster public trust in the judiciary. She also called for accountability within the academic sector, advocating for the University of Sierra Leone to investigate any potential violations of policies regarding lecturer-student relationships.
“The University of Sierra Leone must take similar steps to examine any breaches,” she asserted, emphasizing that institutions should not shield individuals from accountability.
Furthermore, Michael highlighted the necessity for fairness and support for Miss Jamiru, who faces an arrest warrant. “Authorities must ensure that she receives not only a fair trial but also psychosocial and legal aid support,” she concluded. “Only through such resolute actions can we begin to restore faith in our justice and educational systems.”
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