By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on 29th July 2025 hosted a high-powered delegation from the ECOWAS Court of Justice, including its President, Vice President, and other distinguished members, at its Conference Room, Integrity House, Freetown.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, the Deputy Minister of Justice, Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, stated that the delegation is in Sierra Leone to conduct a capacity-building training for State Attorneys of the Law Officers Department. She underscored the pressing need for Sierra Leonean lawyers to better understand the procedures of the ECOWAS Court. According to her, it is disheartening that Sierra Leone has had to rely on Gambian lawyers for ECOWAS Court matters, especially given that, until recently, Gambians had to attend law school in Sierra Leone before establishing their own.
She emphasized that it was crucial for the ECOWAS delegation to meet with the ACC, considering the Commission’s pivotal and strategic role in the country’s justice system.
The President of the ECOWAS Court of Justice, Hon. Justice Ricardo Claudio Monteiro Goncalves, expressed his delight at meeting with the ACC and acknowledged the importance of such engagements in strengthening regional cooperation.
In his remarks, the Court’s Vice President, Hon. Justice Sengu Koroma (JSC), noted a significant gap in Sierra Leonean representation at the Court. “When I joined, there was only one Sierra Leonean lawyer who adequately understood the Court’s procedural framework. I urged the President to commit to increasing Sierra Leone’s presence,” he revealed, stressing the Court’s commitment to equipping more Sierra Leonean legal professionals.
ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. welcomed the delegation and thanked them for visiting the Commission. He reiterated that the ACC is an independent institution, operating within the rule of law and closely coordinating with the justice sector as part of the Justice Sector Coordination team.
The Commissioner admitted being a strong advocate of purposivism in legal interpretation, and commended the ECOWAS Court’s rich and progressive jurisprudence, particularly in its responsiveness to evolving legal trends in the sub-region.
