Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola elected Vice President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone

 

 

 Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola elected Vice President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone

NAIROBI, February 29, 2024. We are delighted to announce that Honorable Justice Isaac Lenaola of Kenya was on Thursday, February 29, elected unanimously as the Vice President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone at the Court’s Plenary held in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Justice Lenaola’s wealth of experience and dedication to justice makes him a fitting choice for this prestigious role. He will deputize Justice Richard Lussick of Samoa who was elected President of the court for a two-year term.

Judge Lenaola was appointed to the Court in 2013 by the then Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E Ban Ki Moon.

The Residual Special Court for Sierra is an ad hoc court and the successor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, whose mandate includes;

Witness Protection and Support – Respond to threats related to testimony given before the SCSL and provide appropriate protection and support measures. Witness protection officers are located in Freetown.

Assistance to National Prosecution Authorities – Manage Governmental requests for evidence and information to support investigations, prosecutions, forfeiture proceedings and asylum cases. Ensure that confidentiality obligations are upheld. Manage the disclosure of exculpatory evidence and requests from other States for documents relevant to witness protection orders.

Supervision of Prison Sentences/Pardons/Commutations/Early Releases – The supervision of the enforcement of sentences is a continuing obligation that may extend until 2055. This supervision includes inspection of the conditions of imprisonment, as well as tracking of time served and dates of release, including early release, pardon or commutation. One of the prisoners being supervised by the court is Former President of Liberia, Charles Ghankay Taylor.

Trial of Johnny Paul Koroma – Koroma is the only person indicted by the SCSL who is not in custody. The RSCSL will have jurisdiction to try him if he is arrested after the closure of the Special Court. The RSCSL shall also have the power and shall undertake every effort to refer the case to a competent national jurisdiction for trial if, under the SCSL Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the Court has not referred the case before closure in 2012.

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Justice Lenaola and wish him great success in his new role.

 

DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS & COMMUNICATION

JUDICIARY