In a major victory for transparency and the right to information, the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has won a landmark legal battle against the Bank of Sierra Leone.
The ruling, delivered by High Court Judge Justice Adrian Fisher on May 26, 2025, upheld RAIC’s order that found the central bank in breach of its obligations under the Right to Access Information Act, 2013.
The case began in late 2019 when journalist Martha Kargbo submitted a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the Bank, seeking detailed data on Sierra Leone’s foreign exchange history. The Bank initially redirected her to its website, claiming the information was publicly available. However, after repeated attempts, Ms. Kargbo found the data was not accessible online and lodged a formal complaint with RAIC in March 2020.
RAIC’s investigation confirmed the Bank’s non-compliance. Despite orders and a fine of 70 million Leones (old currency) issued in December 2020, the Bank challenged the decision in court, seeking to quash the penalty and claim it had met its legal obligations.
After thorough examination of submissions from both parties, Justice Fisher ruled decisively in favor of RAIC, affirming the Bank’s failure to comply with the FOI law. While the fine was reduced to 40 million Leones (new currency), the court rejected the Bank’s attempt to nullify the penalty and refused an injunction to halt enforcement.
Reacting to the judgment, RAIC Chairman and Information Commissioner Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw described the ruling as a “clear message that public institutions must respect their legal obligations under the Right to Access Information Act.” He hailed the judgment as a triumph for transparency, freedom of information, and the rule of law in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Shaw further expressed appreciation for the judiciary’s role in strengthening compliance with the Right to Access Information Act, urging all public authorities to uphold their responsibilities and embrace openness.
