By Mohamed Fofanah.
Members of Parliament on Friday took a crucial decision as they unanimously abolished the death penalty from the statute books of Sierra Leone despite no execution has taken place in the country since 1998.
Life imprisonment would now mean imprisonment for a minimum of 30 years with a “maximum penalty of imprisonment for life,” according to the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Honourable Sahr Mathew Nyuma.
“We are a progressive nation,” said Hon. Nyuma, as the country joined 21 other African countries that have abolished the death penalty as part of Government efforts to protect the fundamental human rights of Sierra Leoneans.
However, outspoken SLPP MP, Hon. Hindolo Gevao vehemently argued during a prolonged debate in the Well of Parliament on Friday that a minimum of 30-years imprisonment for aggravated robbery, murder, treason, or a mutiny, a conviction would be ‘too light,’ citing the principle of Remission applied in the Sierra Leone Correctional Service Act, 2014.
Section 59 of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service Act, 2014 reads: “Convicted criminal inmates sentenced to imprisonment whether by one month, may by industry and good conduct earn a remission of one-third of the remaining period of the sentence or sentences.”
Therefore, to calculate remission of sentence, according to Sub-section (6) of Section 59 of the same Act: “imprisonment for life shall be deemed to be 20 years imprisonment.”
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Anthony Brewah who piloted the abolition of the death penalty from the statute books of Sierra Leone said after the abolition that the effort was in tandem with international best practice, necessary for the progress of the country.
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio tweeted on Friday saying, “Today, I have fulfilled a governance pledge to permanently abolish the death penalty in Sierra Leone. I thank citizens, Members of Parliament, development partners, and rights groups that have steadfastly stood with us to make history.”
