The governance dispute within the Sierra Leone Bar Association (SLBA) has intensified following the release of a statement by presidential aspirant Martina Baindu Egbenda and her team, alongside an official notice from the Association’s Board of Directors announcing an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) aimed at addressing the fallout from the disrupted Annual General Meeting (AGM).
In a statement issued on 1 August 2026, Martina Egbenda and her campaign team thanked supporters and colleagues for their patience and commitment throughout what they described as a challenging period for the Association. However, the statement raised concerns about the administration and governance of the Bar Association, arguing that several developments leading up to the AGM created uncertainty among members.
According to the statement, members were initially required to pay their subscriptions by 29 May 2026 despite calls for an extension to encourage broader participation. The team also referenced the postponement of the AGM and questioned aspects of the process surrounding the compilation and publication of the membership list.
Furthermore, the statement highlighted a High Court judgment delivered on 23 July 2026 concerning the conduct of the AGM. While acknowledging the court’s intervention, Egbenda’s team expressed concern over whether all directives were fully implemented before the scheduled meeting.
Particular attention was drawn to discrepancies surrounding membership records. The statement claimed that while more than 1,000 names appeared on the published membership list, banking records reportedly indicated that approximately 528 members had paid subscriptions by the stipulated deadline.
Despite those concerns, Egbenda’s team maintained that it remains committed to ensuring that the affairs of the Association are conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the rule of law. The statement also commended lawyers and supporters for maintaining calm and professionalism throughout recent events.
Meanwhile, the Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Bar Association has moved to address the governance uncertainty by convening an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for Thursday, 6 August 2026, at the D’Bim D’ Bam Multipurpose Complex in Freetown.
In its official notice, the Board stated that the AGM was unable to proceed following what it described as the intervention and disruption of the meeting by the Sierra Leone Police, preventing the Association from completing its constitutional business, including elections for a new Board of Directors.
The Board further noted that the mandate of the current Board is due to expire on 18 August 2026. Consequently, members will be asked to consider resolutions aimed at ensuring continuity in the governance of the Association until elections can be successfully concluded.
Among the key proposals is the establishment of a Caretaker Body that would assume interim responsibility for the administration of the Association. According to the notice, the proposed body would preserve the Association’s assets and records, ensure uninterrupted operations, facilitate completion of constitutional processes, convene the AGM, and supervise elections for a new Board of Directors.
Additionally, members will be asked to determine the duration of the caretaker body’s mandate, which would cease immediately upon the election and installation of a duly elected Board.
Taken together, both documents reveal an Association facing significant governance challenges at a critical moment in its history.