Criminal Procedure

Posted 8 Nov 2026, 12:00 GMT·By lanbuk.com

Lecturer: Dr Robert B. Kowa Esq.

Transcribed from handwritten class notes. Spelling is tidied, but the topics and their order are as given in class. Links point to the Acts and Lanbuk notes that cover a topic; they are study aids, not part of the course. Check with your lecturer for the current outline.

Course outline

1. 1Understanding the concept of criminal procedure

   1. aMeaning of criminal procedure

   2. bCriminal proceedings: summary trials; indictable proceedings (committal proceedings, written consent of a judge, ex officio information); the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, section 89; the Sexual Offences Act (as amended); trial of children; trial with assessors; trial of corporations or companies; plea bargaining; appellate proceedings; sentencing

      On Lanbuk:Anti-Corruption Act, 2008Sexual Offences Act, 2012

2. 2Instituting criminal proceedings and the criminal jurisdiction of the courts

   On Lanbuk:The courts of Sierra LeoneThe criminal courts (LLB notes)

   1. Part AThe courts and how proceedings begin

      1. aThe Local Court

         On Lanbuk:Local Courts Act, 2011

      2. bThe Magistrate Court

      3. cCourt Martial

      4. dThe High Court

      5. eThe Court of Appeal

      6. fThe Supreme Court

      7. gSummons, warrant or indictment (private criminal summons, information, police summons, warrant)

   2. Part BJurisdiction

      1. aOriginal jurisdiction

      2. bAppellate jurisdiction

      3. cSupervisory jurisdiction

3. 3Stages of criminal procedure

   1. aPre-arrest

   2. bArrest process

   3. cRights of the defendant

      On Lanbuk:Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991

4. 4Judicial process in criminal procedure

   1. aPre-trial motions

   2. bBail (during investigation, during trial and pending appeal)

   3. cCharging

5. 5Trial procedure (Magistrate Court and High Court)

   1. aArraignment

   2. bPlea

   3. cCase for the prosecution

   4. dSubmission of no case

   5. eElection or options of the defendant to proceed with his case

   6. fDefence's case

   7. gClosing address

   8. hSumming up; verdict

   9. iAntecedents; plea in mitigation

   10. jExecution of sentences

6. 6Amendment

7. 7Sentencing in criminal procedure

   1. aTypes of sentences

   2. bSentencing guidelines

8. 8Appeals

Read on Lanbuk

• Criminal Procedure Act, 2024
• The courts of Sierra Leone
• Lanbuk on the Law of Crimes in Sierra Leone (LLB notes)

Past papers

• Criminal Procedure Paper 103, Part A (Bar Final Special Examinations)
• Criminal Procedure Part B, Bar Final 2025/2026