In a watershed moment for children’s rights and the rule of law, the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has filed the first-ever criminal charges under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024. Attorney General Alpha Sesay, a key architect of the nation’s justice reforms, has authorized the prosecution of four men, marking a decisive shift from legislation to enforcement in the fight against a deeply entrenched cultural practice.
The accused, Sayo Marrah, Lansana Qura, Salieu Kamara, and Abu Bakarr Kamara, are facing three separate charges that strike at the heart of the new law: Contracting Marriage with a Child, Consenting to Child Marriage, and Aiding and Abetting Child Marriage.
According to the charge sheet, Sayo Marrah is alleged to have directly contracted a marriage with a child, an act expressly prohibited under Section 2 of the Act . Salieu Kamara, identified as the child’s father, is alleged to have consented to the union and participated in the ceremony, a violation of Section 3, which explicitly bars parents or guardians from giving consent for a child to marry . Lansana Qura and Abu Bakarr Kamara are accused of facilitating the marriage and playing active roles in the ceremony, ensuring it was successfully conducted, thereby violating Section 10 of the Act on aiding and abetting .
A Legal Milestone
The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, signed into law in July 2024, criminalizes any union where either party is under 18 . It provides for a minimum prison sentence of 15 years, a fine of at least Le 50,000, or both, for offenders . The Act also makes it illegal to cohabit with a child, attend a child marriage ceremony, or promote such unions .
“This prosecution represents a significant milestone in the enforcement of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024,” the Attorney General’s office stated in a release. “It is a clear message that the government is committed to protecting the rights of children and that there will be consequences for those who violate this law.”
The move comes as part of a broader justice sector reform agenda championed by President Julius Maada Bio and spearheaded by Attorney General Sesay, who has previously assured the Chief Justice of the government’s commitment to “make access to effective justice delivery free, fair, transparent and accountable to the people” . The Attorney General has also been a vocal advocate for the constitutional review process and the implementation of the Criminal Procedure Act 2024 .
National and International Context
Child marriage remains a pervasive issue in Sierra Leone. The Ministry of Health estimates that a third of girls are married before they turn 18, contributing to high maternal mortality rates . The 2024 Act was praised internationally, with Amnesty International noting its provisions for annulment and compensation for victims .
The new law is not merely symbolic; it is designed to be transformative. It empowers the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs to roll out awareness campaigns, and recent efforts have included creating youth-friendly versions of the Act to educate young people about their rights .
A Test of the System
This landmark case will be the first real test of the Act’s strength and the justice system’s resolve. The successful prosecution of the four accused would send a powerful deterrent signal to communities where child marriage is often normalized. Conversely, a failure to secure a conviction would expose the gaps between legal reform and practical enforcement.
As the case progresses, eyes will be on the judiciary to see if it upholds the new law’s stringent sentencing requirements. The outcome will define the legacy of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, whether it remains a well-intentioned document or becomes a tool of genuine social change.
This is a developing story. Updates will follow as the case proceeds through the courts.