Public office

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: Commissions of Inquiry established under the Constitution have the mandate to examine the assets of former public officials to determine if they were acquired lawfully.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1973

Principle established: An applicant seeking letters of administration under the Mohammedan Marriage Act must prove he is the deceased's eldest brother, and the Administrator-General acting bona fide is entitled to costs out of the estate.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1972-73

Principle established: Leave to appeal against an order for costs may be granted when a question of public importance is involved, such as where a public officer is ordered personally to pay costs.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1957-60

Principle established: A presiding election officer with a duty to maintain order at a polling station may use necessary force without committing assault to remove a person who refuses to behave.

Sierra Leone — African Law Reports · 1964-66

Principle established: Notice terminating the appointment of a judicial officer cannot be backdated and takes effect only on or after the date it is actually given.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1961

Principle established: The President of a Native Administration Court is engaged in the public service and immune from action for acts performed bona fide pursuant to orders of a District Officer.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: The establishment of a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the conduct and assets of former high-ranking public officials is a valid exercise of constitutional authority.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 2023

Principle established: Public officials are subject to investigation by Commissions of Inquiry regarding the lawful acquisition of their assets during their tenure in office.

Kenya · 2025

Principle established: Disciplinary proceedings against judicial staff must comply with constitutional requirements for a fair hearing, including the right to confront accusers and the avoidance of inordinate delays.

Zimbabwe · 2023

Principle established: Where an exception to a criminal charge is upheld on the basis that the facts do not disclose an offence, the accused is entitled to be found not guilty and discharged.

Zimbabwe · 2025

Principle established: A public officer may be lawfully discharged from service following a suitability board's finding of misconduct, even if criminal proceedings for the same underlying conduct are still pending.

Sierra Leone — Court of Appeal · 1961

Principle established: Members of a Native Court are public servants entitled to statutory protection, and the trial court may apply a statutory defence even if not expressly pleaded.

Malawi · 2025

Principle established: A public officer commits an offence by failing to declare a direct or indirect interest in a contract being considered by a board of which they are a member.

Malawi · 2023

Principle established: Prosecution for certain corruption offences requires the formal consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions as a statutory prerequisite.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1961

Principle established: Court documents cannot be accepted for filing at a constituted district registry if no district registrar has yet been appointed to receive them.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1961

Principle established: Court registry filings cannot be accepted at a district registry where the office has been constituted but no registrar has been appointed.

Sierra Leone — Supreme Court · 1961

Principle established: Documents cannot be filed at a newly constituted district registry when no registrar has been appointed to receive them.