The Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO) has conducted a training for key stakeholders in the country’s justice sector on the newly enacted Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) of 2024, which replaces the outdated 1965 law. Supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the training aimed to familiarize police, correctional officers, judges, and other justice sector professionals with the Act’s provisions.
Key figures, including Acting Chief Minister of the Judiciary Justice Nicholas Browne Marke and Deputy Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay, facilitated the sessions. Shahid Mustapha Korjie, JSCO Coordinator, emphasised the importance of the new CPA in modernising the criminal justice system to meet international standards.
The training covers all justice sector personnel, from judicial officers to police, correctional staff, and paralegals. The goal is to ensure that all stakeholders understand the new law, which governs criminal trial procedures from investigation to trial. The update addresses gaps in the previous law and aims to enhance transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the justice process.
Participants, including Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Sulaiman Sheriff and Chief Superintendent of Police Tommy Zizer, have praised the training, noting its value in improving understanding of the new CPA provisions. They also highlighted the Act’s focus on fairness, equal opportunities for both the accused and complainants, and better data handling in criminal cases.
The sessions were held at the Brookfields Hotel and Sierra Palms Hotel, offering a collaborative space for participants to deepen their understanding of the law and improve their capacity to deliver justice. The training is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s justice system and align it with international best practices.
