Sierra Leone President Refers Constitutional Bill to Court

President Bio of Sierra Leone has referred a proposed constitutional amendment bill to the Supreme Court to address concerns raised by the civil society group Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) regarding the constitutionality of the parliamentary procedures involved in the bill's approval. The IGR submitted a petition on September 4, prompting the referral.

Parliament transmitted the legislation to the State House for presidential assent on September 10, amidst public debate and divided opinions. Invoking Section 122(1) of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution, President Bio directed the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to facilitate this legal referral.

The Executive Office stated that any major amendments to the constitutional framework require careful scrutiny. The Clerk of Parliament has been notified of this executive action.

If the Supreme Court's ruling takes longer than 14 days after the bill's presentation, President Bio will withhold his final decision and inform Parliament upon receiving the court's opinion. This intervention is described as an unprecedented effort to promote transparency in governance.