The ECOWAS court of justice will present their judgment on the matter between former Vice President of Sierra Leone Alhaji Sidikie Sam Sumana and the Government of Sierra Leone on Monday 27 November 2017.
After his expulsion from the All People’s Congress (APC) Party and subsequent removal from his Vice President role, Sam Sumana filed a matter at the Supreme Court for an interpretation of the Constitution. The Supreme Court of Sierra Leone was required to present their legal decision if the President could sack his Vice- President. The five Supreme Court Judges ruled that it was indeed legal for the President to sack the Vice President.
After he lost the matter in the Supreme Court in October 2016, the former VP filed a case to the ECOWAS Court against the government. He asked for compensation of $210 million USD in damages and reinstatement as Vice President of Sierra Leone.
The Government, through the office of Attorney General, filed a reply to the Court that they [ECOWAS Court] does not have jurisdiction to hear the matter that has already being decided by the Supreme of the country and also the ECOWAS Court does not have jurisdiction to decide on such matters.
The AG, Joseph Kamara, said they [Government] are not going to participate in it (Court) because they know they don’t have jurisdiction and they [government] will not accept any outcome.
Almost one year later, the ECOWAS Court will deliver judgment on the matter today. Judgment should have been delivered on Wednesday 22 November 2017 but the French translation of the judgment was not ready.
BM/25/11/17
By Betty Milton
Monday November 27, 2017.
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