By Osman Deen
President Julius Maada Bio has sworn in a judicial tribunal to investigate the conduct of Justice Alan Halloway, who was suspended in September following allegations of rights violations he levelled against the Chief Justice, officials said.
Justice Halloway was suspended after submitting petitions and public statements accusing the Chief Justice of alleged administrative and human rights breaches linked to judicial governance. The allegations sparked controversy within Sierra Leone’s legal community and led to calls for an independent inquiry.
Under the constitution, the president is required to establish a tribunal once a petition against a superior court judge meets the threshold for investigation. Justice Halloway’s suspension was a temporary measure pending the outcome of the probe.
The tribunal is tasked with examining whether Justice Halloway’s actions breached judicial ethics, confidentiality rules, or amounted to misconduct, while also reviewing the circumstances under which the allegations were made.
At the swearing-in ceremony, President Bio said the process was aimed at safeguarding the rule of law, judicial discipline and institutional integrity, while respecting judicial independence.
Justice Halloway has denied wrongdoing and insists his actions were taken in the public interest. The tribunal’s findings will be submitted to the president for further action in line with constitutional provisions.
