Bangura recounts prison visit with detained former Justice Minister Kamara

Saidu Bangura has described a visit to former Sierra Leone Attorney General and Minister of Justice Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara at Pademba Road Prison, saying Kamara had spent his fourth night behind bars when they met on 11 October 2026.

Bangura’s account presents Kamara’s detention as connected, in his description, to a position on constitutionality and the rule of law. It does not specify the legal charge, any court proceeding or the formal reason for Kamara’s detention.

A conversation about public duty

Kamara previously served as Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission and as President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, in addition to his role as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.

According to Bangura, Kamara noticed his sadness during the prison visit and asked in Krio: “Why u spirit look dae don (why are you looking so low spirited).” Bangura said he responded: “Bra, wit all the sacrifices you don make for dis country, na you really dae inside prison so?”

Bangura wrote that Kamara then referred to the words associated with John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Bangura attributed the following explanation to Kamara: “This is my contribution to Sierra Leone in these trying times. This is the duty I owe to my profession, my country, and future generations.”

Constitutional principles

Bangura said the exchange strengthened his own commitment to the principles he believes Kamara is defending. He wrote that the Constitution should remain supreme and that the rule of law should apply to everyone, regardless of political affiliation, social standing or public office.

He also said the defence of those principles should not be reduced to a contest involving personalities or political interests.

The account was published by The Sierra Leone Telegraph on 13 October 2026. It records Bangura’s description of the visit and does not independently establish the circumstances or legal basis of Kamara’s detention. It also does not state when Kamara was detained or whether he had been released by the publication date.