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Kenya's Judge Isaac Lenaola named vice president of Sierra Leone court

Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola. (X/Judiciary)

By Lucy Mumbi | Thursday, February 29, 2024

The Residual Special Court was established pursuant to an agreement signed between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone on August 11, 2010.

Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola has been elected Vice President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone at the Court's Plenary held in Freetown.

Justice Lenaola will deputize Justice Richard Lussick of Samoa who was elected President of the court for a two-year term.

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“We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Justice Lenaola and wish him great success in his new role. Justice Lenaola's wealth of experience and dedication to justice makes him a fitting choice for this prestigious role,” reads the statement from the Judiciary.

The Residual Special Court was established pursuant to an agreement signed between the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone on August 11, 2010. Its mandate is to oversee the continuing legal obligations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone after its closure in 2013. These include conducting contempt of court proceedings, witness protection, supervision of prison sentences, and management of the SCSL archives.

Lenaola roles

Owing to his election, Lenaola will respond to threats related to testimony given before the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) and provide appropriate protection and support measures.

He will manage governmental requests for evidence and information to support investigations, prosecutions, forfeiture proceedings and asylum cases.

In addition, he will ensure that confidentiality obligations are upheld. This includes managing the disclosure of exculpatory evidence and requests from other States for documents relevant to witness protection orders.

Further, he will oversee the supervision of prison sentences, pardons, commutations and early releases.

According to the Judiciary, 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,” reads the statement.

Justice Lenaola is a highly regarded judge who joined the Judicial service in 2003 and has worked as a Resident Judge in several High Courts.

He has also worked as commissioner at the Judicial Service Commission, as a member of the Judicial Training Institute, as Chairman of the Kenya Magistrates and Judges Association, and as Treasurer of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association until his appointment as a Supreme Court judge in 2016.