Who is going to be the next Sierra Leone Bar Association President – Marah, Kamal, or Gento?

The race is on as the Sierra Leone Bar Association gears up for its presidential election on May 17, 2024. 

The candidates vying for the prestigious position in the oldest Bar Association in sub-Saharan West Africa are Augustine Sorie Sengbe Marrah – the only man in the race, Wara Serry-Kamal, and Tuma Adama Gento Kamara (Nee Jabbie).

• Augustine Sorie Sengbe-Marrah: is a pro-democracy activist and the managing partner at Marrah and Associates Law Firm. 

His campaign theme is #Reclaimthenbar and he bent that on five key factors Reposition it as the foremost defender of the rule of law; enhance the welfare of lawyers across all cadres, introduce policy-based representation in statutory entities, improve access to justice, and to review the constitutive character of the organization.

Marrah holds a master’s in International Human Rights Law and Democratisation from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and boasts expertise in litigation, arbitration, corporate law, human rights, regulatory compliance, and civil practice. In April 2022, his landmark case, Augustine Marrah v The Inspector General of Police, made waves in the Supreme Court.

• Wara Serry-Kamal: is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone and the managing partner at Serry-Kamal & Co Chambers. 

Her key action points focus on Professional Development and Welfare, Upholding the Bar’s Autonomy, Unification of the Bar, enhancing partnerships, and Institutional Strengthening.

• Tuma Adama Gento-Kamara (Nee- Jabbi): she has been a legal practitioner for over 13 years and she is the managing partner of Jabbi and Associates. 

Her campaign theme is #Raisethebar and her key action points center on primarily dealing with issues affecting the legal profession and furthering the best interest of lawyers.

Tuma-Gento holds a Master of Law Degree (LLM) in Corporate and Business Law from the University of Central England in Birmingham and has held several positions in government.