Sierra Leone’s social media rumour mill went into overdrive three days ago, when a post was circulated by an unknown author alleging that the country’s Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards “tries to interfere with Palo Treason trial Jurors”.
Published as a breaking news story, the post alleging that the Chief Justice tried to interfere with the Palo treason trial case, reads:
“The Chief Justice of the Republic, Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards in the morning of 8th June 2020, just before the Jurors were summoned to Court made a surprise visit to their deliberation room.
“Report reaching us indicates that the Chief Justice is concerned about the lack of evidence against Palo Conteh and the poor performance exhibited by state prosecutor in the ongoing Palo Treason trial.
A Senior Supreme Court Judge notes that Chief Justice Babatunde Edwards is the most political Chief Justice that has darkened the walls and corridors of the Temple of Justice at Siaka Stevens Streets.”
This is a statement issued by the media and public relations department of the Judiciary in response:
