Sierra Leone’s High Court has ordered Kasho Joseph Holland-Cole, Chairman of the Western Area District Council (Ward C), to retract statements deemed contemptuous of the judiciary within three days.
High Court Judge Hon. Justice A.K. Musa instructed Holland-Cole to hold a press conference, issue a public statement, and publish it in two local newspapers for three consecutive editions. Copies of the press conference and publications must be submitted to the court on a disk drive.
The orders stem from contempt proceedings initiated by the River Development Association (NDA), which accused Holland-Cole of undermining the integrity of the court following an interlocutory injunction granted on Nov. 18, 2025. The injunction restrained the council and its agents from interfering with the management, revenue collection, or operations at No. 2 River Beach (Sankofa Complex).
Justice Musa warned Holland-Cole, described as an elderly statesman, to refrain from making statements or holding press events that could tarnish the judiciary’s reputation. The judge reminded him that the judicial system includes an appellate structure allowing aggrieved parties to seek redress through legal channels.
Failure to comply could result in imprisonment if the court finds that Holland-Cole’s actions contravene its orders.
By Feima Sesay
