Attorney General Directs SLBA to Hold AGM

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, has issued a directive to the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) to immediately withdraw its indefinite postponement of the Annual General Meeting (AGM), emphasizing that the current Executive's mandate has expired.

Directive Details

In a letter dated June 2, 2026, addressed to the SLBA President, the Attorney General highlighted that the Executive, which assumed office on May 17, 2024, legally ceased to hold substantive authority on May 17, 2026. Citing Article 20 of the Association's Memorandum and Articles of Association, he noted that the two-year tenure had lapsed, rendering the Executive a caretaker body restricted to routine administrative functions.

Legal Basis

The Attorney General referenced Section 185(1) of the Companies Act, 2009, which mandates that every company hold an AGM annually, with no more than fifteen months between meetings. He stated that an indefinite postponement is tantamount to cancellation and constitutes a breach of statute.

Implications

The Attorney General cautioned that failure to comply would undermine the Association's credibility in advocating for the rule of law. He reminded the SLBA that several legal and constitutional options remain available to enforce compliance if necessary.

This intervention underscores the importance of adherence to statutory requirements and the need for professional bodies to maintain governance practices that align with legal mandates.