Kenya’s Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola has been elected Vice President of the Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone (RSCSL).
Justice Isaac Lenaola was elected unanimously on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at the Court’s Plenary held in Freetown, Sierra.
He will deputise Justice Richard Lussick of Samoa who was elected President of the court for a two-year term.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms, Judiciary said Judge Lenaola was appointed to the Court in 2013 by the then Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon.
Congratulating Justice Lenaola on his new position, the Judiciary wished him great success in his new role noting that his wealth of experience and dedication to justice makes him a fitting choice for the prestigious role.
The Residual Special Court for Sierra is an ad hoc court and the successor to the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL), whose mandate includes, Witness Protection and Support by responding to threats related to testimony given before the SCSL and to provide appropriate protection and support measures. Witness protection officers are located in Freetown.
It also offers assistance to National Prosecution Authorities, by managing governmental requests for evidence and information to support investigations, prosecutions, forfeiture proceedings and asylum cases.
RSCSL ensures that confidentiality obligations are upheld by managing the disclosure of exculpatory evidence and requests from other States for documents relevant to witness protection orders.
The other mandate is supervision of prison sentences, pardons, commutations, early releases through the supervision of the enforcement of sentences which 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. One of the prisoners being supervised by the court is Former President of Liberia, Charles Ghankay Taylor,” said the statement.
Trial of Johnny Paul Koroma is the only person indicted by the SCSL who is not in custody, and the statement says that the RSCSL will have jurisdiction to try him if he is arrested after the closure of the Special Court.
“The RSCSL shall also have the power and shall undertake every effort to refer the case to a competent national jurisdiction for trial if, under the SCSL Rules of Procedure and Evidence, the Court has not referred the case before closure in 2012,” it added.
By Bernadette Khaduli
