President Bio Signs New Criminal Procedure Act into Law
President Julius Maada Bio has officially signed the new Criminal Procedure Act (CPA) into law, replacing the outdated 1965 legislation. This significant reform aims to modernize Sierra Leone's criminal justice system, enhancing both efficiency and fairness in legal proceedings.
One of the most notable changes is the removal of jury trials in criminal cases, a system that had been central to serious legal matters for decades. The new law introduces judge-only trials, which proponents argue will lead to more consistent and timely verdicts. While this shift has sparked debate, with some concerned it may centralize too much power with judges, supporters believe it will streamline the justice process and reduce case backlogs.
During the signing, President Bio emphasized the importance of the reform as part of broader efforts to improve the country’s legal sector, ensuring a more effective and just system.