President Julius Maada Bio has presided over the swearing-in of Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley as new Attorney General and Minister of Justice, urging him to be sure to operate within the confines of the law and provide his administration with the best legal advice.
Mr Tarawalley took the oath alongside Robert Kowa as the newly appointed Solicitor General.
The two were named earlier in the week following the sacking of Anthony Brewah as Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
Tarawalley was the Solicitor General.
Bio warned the pair that the task ahead of them was enormous and difficult but stressed that it was also pivotal to government’s day-to-day running of the state.
“Good governance and supremacy of the law is important, and we want to operate within the confines of the law,” the President was quoted in a news released from the presidency saying after the two men had taken oath in the conference room at State House, in the presence of other top government officials and their family members.
“I look up to you to advice government and myself as we run the affairs of the state. I Congratulate you both as I expect the best legal advice from you and your team. You can always rely on me, not for legal advice but political advice,” Bio added in his brief remark.
The new Attorney General expressed delight at the opportunity to serve, noting that he was inspired by the confidence bestowed upon him by President Bio “to serve in such a distinguished position.”
“Together with senior colleagues and working staff at the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, we shall be committed to delivering justice across Sierra Leone, upholding the rule of law and protection of citizens’ human rights,” he said.
According to State House, Tarawalley becomes the 13th Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of Sierra Leone.
He is also the 4th person to hold the office under the current administration. His immediate predecessor, Brewah, was relieved amidst a debate over his alleged involvement in the controversial release of a convicted murderer on presidential pardon.
The presidential statement announcing Brewah’s sacking didn’t give any reason, however.
