High Court Issues Landmark Orders on SLBA Membership List and AGM Eligibility In a significant ruling that could shape the outcome of the #SierraLeone Bar Association’s long-delayed Annual General Meeting, the High Court has ordered the association’s executive to publish a complete list of fully paid-up members by 29 July 2026. Honourable Justice Mark Ngegba delivered the orders this morning in Miscellaneous Application 125/26. The case was brought by Ebunoluwa Tengbe, a member of the association, against the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) and its current leadership under the Companies Act 2009 and the association’s own Memorandum and Articles of Association. The defendants named in the suit are the SLBA itself, President Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara, Vice President Sidique Tommy, General Secretary Alfred Paul Juwah, Assistant General Secretary Abubakarr Sidique Kamara, Treasurer Sotto Kobba, Assistant Treasurer Yoko Mahiteh Brewah, Public Relations Officer Alfred Kamanda, and Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Limited. Counsel A. S. Lansana appeared for the plaintiff, while I. F. Sawaneh represented the first to eighth defendants and opposed the application. The Court’s Five Orders Justice Ngegba directed as follows: The first to eighth defendants must publish the full list of members who have paid their registration, subscription and conference fees and are therefore eligible to participate in the Annual General Meeting not later than 29 July 2026. The only method to be used for processing and verifying the voter registration list and eligibility is the bank payment slip of payments made by members on or before the 29 May 2026 deadline. Elections for the new executive of the SLBA must be conducted strictly in accordance with the provisions of the association’s Memorandum and Articles of Association. Access to the venue and participation in the AGM shall be granted solely on the basis of verified bank payment slips showing payment of subscription and conference fees not later than 29 May 2026 and by no other means. The first to eighth defendants must furnish the plaintiff and all members of the SLBA with the association’s audited financial statements together with bank statements covering the period 1 May 2024 to 1 June 2026 not later than 30 July 2026. The Originating Summons was filed on 10 June 2026 and supported by an affidavit sworn by the plaintiff on the same date. The ruling comes against the backdrop of the SLBA’s postponed AGM, which was originally scheduled for early June 2026, and a closely watched contest for the presidency of the association between incumbent Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara and challenger Martina Baindu Egbenda. Concerns had been raised by some members about delays and difficulties in verifying subscription payments and the accuracy of the voters’ list. The court’s decision imposes strict, time-bound requirements for transparency and uniform verification ahead of any meeting or election. A certified true copy of the order, signed by the Master and Registrar, was issued immediately after the ruling. The SLBA executive now faces clear deadlines. Members and observers will be watching closely to see whether the association complies fully with the court’s directives in the coming days.