Judiciary Communications — The people of Kono District on Wednesday held a grand celebration to honour Chief Justice Komba Kamanda, the first Chief Justice from the Kono tribe, in a ceremony attended by Paramount Chiefs, senior judges, and government officials.
Chief Justice Kamanda, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Sonia Sarah Komba Kamanda, and their two daughters, was welcomed by all fourteen Paramount Chiefs of Kono District at the Sahr Fillie Faboe Hall in Tankoro Chiefdom. The event marked his official homecoming following his appointment by President Julius Maada Bio.
The Paramount Chiefs expressed collective gratitude to President Bio for what they described as a “historic and well-deserved appointment” — the first time a Kono native has been named Chief Justice of Sierra Leone.
“We are very pleased to welcome our son, our brother, his wife, and the delegation from Freetown,” said Paramount Chief Alie Musa of Mafindor Chiefdom, who also serves as Public Relations Officer for the Council of Paramount Chiefs.
Among those in attendance were several prominent traditional leaders, including PC Paul Ngaba Saquee of Tankoro Chiefdom, PC Tamba Emmanuel Torcheh of Foyoh Soa Chiefdom, PC Aiah Bindi Fainfa Ngongou of Gbane Chiefdom, PC George B. Torto of Nimiyama Chiefdom, and others representing all chiefdoms in the district.
Speaking at the event, Paramount Chief and Member of Parliament PN Saquee said the appointment had brought pride and honour to the district. “Kono is blessed, and Soa and Nimikoro Chiefdoms in particular are also blessed to have their own son appointed Chief Justice,” he said. “We, the Paramount Chiefs in Kono, are extremely grateful. Thank you, President Bio.”
Chief Justice Kamanda hails from Sao Chiefdom in Kono District and was born to Mr. and Mrs. Komba Kamanda before relocating with his family to Kenema Town. Kono District, one of Sierra Leone’s most ethnically diverse and mineral-rich regions, has long been known as the country’s leading diamond-producing area.
The Chief Justice’s visit was accompanied by a high-level delegation from the Judiciary, including Honourable Justices Alusine Sesay, Abdullah M. Bangura, Fatmatta Bintu Alhadi, Jamesina King, MP Mami, Tonia Barnett, Alfred T. Ganda, Simeon Allieu, Manuela AJ Harding, and AK Musa. Also present were the Master and Registrar, Lloyd H. Jusu, and other senior judicial staff.
The event was described by local leaders as a moment of unity and pride for the people of Kono, who view the appointment as both a recognition of the district’s contribution to national development and an inspiration for future generations.
