The Public Order Act

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Th e Law s of Si erra Leon e on the Sier ra Leone Web
The Pu blic Order Act , 1965

ACT

Assen ted to in Her Maj esty’s name th is 3 1st day of Dece mber, 1965

H.J. L. B OST ON
Gover nor -Gene ral

No . 46

1965
The Public Order Act, 1965
Being a n Act to Cons olidate and Am end t he Law Relating to Publ ic Or der
[31st D ecemb er, 196 5.] BE IT ENACT ED by the Queen’s M ost Excel lent M ajest y, by and with the advice and c onse nt of t he House of
Rep resen tativ es in this present Parliam ent assem bled, and by th e au thority o f th e sam e, as fo llo ws:— PART I – PRELIM INAR Y Interp retatio n. No. 62 of 196 4.
1. In th is Act, unless th e con trary in ten tion ap pears—
“Commissioner of Police” i ncludes the pri ncipal officer of the Sie rra Leone Police Force, any police offi cer
aut hori sed by him to exerci se any of hi s powers under this Act and any other pe rson ap pointed by the
Gove rnor-General by No tice in th e Ga zette to exerci se a nd per form any or all of the powers a nd funct ions
assig ned to th e Co mmissio ner of Po lice und er th is Act;
“high way” has th e sam e meaning assi gned to it is section 2 of th e Ro ad Traf fic Act, 1964;
“offensive wea pon” m eans a ny article made or ada pted for use for ca usi ng injury to a pe rson or intended by
the pe rson ha ving it wi th him fo r such use by hi m;
“public place” include s a ny hi ghway a nd any othe r prem ises or place to which at the m aterial tim e the
public have or are perm itted to have access whet her on pa ym ent or othe rwise. PART II – BRE ACH OF PUBLIC ORDER Public insult and provocation. 2. Any pe rson who i n the vie w of t he public or in any publi c place, i nsults any pers on in his prese nce, in s uch a
manner as would be likely to provoke t hat person t o commit a breac h of t he peace, shall, on c onviction, be liable to a
fine, not e xcee ding twe nty le one s or t o im prisonm ent not e xceedi ng three months or bot h.
Insulting cond uct. 3. Any person wh o—
i. makes use of any threat eni ng, ab usi ve, insulting or obsce ne lang uage , gest ure , or behavi our, or s ays or sings
any in sultin g or offen sive song or ballad or mak es an y no ise with in ten t to prov ok e an y other person to
commit a brea ch of the peace ; or
ii. makes use of any threat eni ng, ab usi ve, insulting, obsce ne or profane language, or say s or sings any insulting
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Th e Law s of Si erra Leon e on the Sier ra Leone Web
The Pu blic Order Act , 1965

or offe nsive song or ballad, or m akes a noise to the a nnoya nce of a ny pe rson in any place; or
iii. send s or deliv ers to an y person an y threaten ing, scu rrilou s, offensiv e, or ob scen e writin g, prin t, eng raving ,
picture or other re present ation; or
iv. cal ls any pe rson by a nam e or desc ription other than his o wn, wi th intent to insul t or a nnoy su ch pe rson ; or
v. with in ten t to in sult or anno y any p erson know ing ly pu blishes, or cau ses to b e pu blish ed, i n an y n ewspaper ,
any false notice or a dve rtisement of any birth, m arriage or death,
shall, on conviction, be lia ble to a fine , not e xceedi ng tw enty leones or impris onm ent fo r a pe riod not e xceedi ng three
mont hs o r bot h.
Intim idation or annoy ance by violence or other wise.
4. Eve ry pe rson wh o, wi th a view t o compel any ot her pe rson to abst ain from doi ng or to do any act which suc h other
pers on has a legal right to do or abst ain from doing, wrongfully and wi thout legal authori ty—
i. uses violence t o or intimidates suc h other perso n or hi s wi fe or children, or injures hi s prope rty, or
ii. persiste ntly fol lows suc h othe r pe rson a bout from place to place, or
iii. hides any tool s, clothes, or ot her property owned or used by suc h other pe rso n, or depri ves hi m of or hi nde rs
him in th e u se thereo f, or
iv. wat ches or bes ets the ho use or other pl ace where suc h other pe rso n resi des or works or ca rries on busi ness
or happens to be or the approa ch to such house or place, or
v. fol lows s uch other pe rson wi th two or m ore other pers ons in a disorderl y manner in or through any street or
roa d,
shall be guilty of an offe nce a nd shall on c onviction be liable to a fine not exceedi ng eighty leones or imprisonm ent
for a period not exceedi ng three m onths or both.
Peacef ul picketing and prevention of inti midation. Cap. 222
5. Notwithstanding anything cont ained i n this Act or i n the Tra de Di sputes (Decl arat ion of Law ) act , it shal l be
lawf ul for one or m ore pe rso ns, act ing on their o wn behal f or on be hal f of a trade union or of an individual em ploy er
or firm in cont emplation or furthera nce of a trade dis pute , to attend at or near a house or place whe re a pers on resides
or works or ca rries on busine ss or happe ns to be, if t hey so a ttend m erely for the purpose s o peacefully obtaining or
comm unicating inform ation, or of peacefully pers uading a ny pe rson to work or abstain from work.
Throwing of missiles. 6. Any pe rson , except acting in obe dience to lawf ul aut hority, w ho shal l fire any ca nn on, gu n or other firearm , or
throw any squib, rocket , or firewo rk, or thrown any storm or ot her m issi le t o the injury, dan ger or a nno yance o f any
pers on, or to the da nge r of an other’s property shal l be liable, o n convi ction t hereof, to a fine, not excee ding t en
leones or to impris onm ent for a pe riod not e xceedi ng one month or bot h.
Idle and disor derly per sons. 7. Any person loitering in or about a ny stabl e house or bu ilding, or under any piazza , or in the ope n air, and not
havi ng any visible m eans of subsi stence, a nd not gi ving a good acc ount of hi mself, shal l be deem ed an i dle an d
disorde rly pe rson , and shall, on conviction t hereo f, be l iable to impri sonm ent for any period , not excee ding one
mont h.
Rogues and vagabon ds. 8. An y p erson foun d in or upo n an y dw ellin g-ho use, st ore, wareho use, kitch en, stab le or out-hou se, or in an y
encl ose d yard or ga rde n, for any unlawful purpose, a nd e very sus pect ed pers on or re put ed t hief freque nting any quay,
wha rf, or landing place, or a ny street, hi ghway or ave nue le ading the reto, or an y place of public resort or any ave nue
leading the reto, or a ny street or hi ghway or place adjace nt, with i ntent t o commit felony, and e very pers on ha ving i n
his posse ssi on any pi ck-lock key , key , crow, jac k or ot her i mplem ent wi th intent fel oniously to break into any
dwelling house, w areh ouse, st ore, kitch en, st able or ou t-hous e, o r having up on his p erson an y instru ment with inten t
to co mm it an y f elon iou s act, an d ev ery person who, having been convicted of the sam e offence , shall be deem ed a
rogu e an d a vagabon d, an d shall, o n conv ictio n th ereof be impriso ned fo r any p eriod an y ex ceed ing three m onths an d
every such pick-l ock key , ke y, cr ow , jack or other implem ent, an d e very such in strume nt as aforesai d, shall on t he
conv ictio n of the offend er, be fo rfeited an d destr oyed.
Drunkenness. 9. Any person who shall be found drunk, or boxing or fi ght ing i n any public pl ace, st reet, highway, or c ourt or ya rd,
or on an y quay or wh arf, sh all on co nv iction thereof, be liable to a fine, not excee ding two leone s.
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Beating dr ums, etc. 10 . (1) It sh all be unlawfu l for person s to asse mble an d rem ain in an y street o r pub lic p lace or in an y ho use, out-
ho use , bui lding, s hed, yard or other pl ace , beat ing a ny drum, goi ng , tom-tom or ot her such i nstrum ent, or da nci ng
thereto, before the hou r of four in th e af tern oo n, or af ter th e ho ur of nine in the e veni ng; and it shal l be l awf ul for a ny
constable to warn pe rsons ass embling or remaining in a ny street or publi c place as aforesaid forthw ith to depa rt, a nd
by hi mself, o r wi th such assi stance as he m ay take t o his ai d, t o enter such hous e, out-house, building, shed, y ard, or
othe r place in whic h pers ons are unla wfully assem bled as aforesaid, a nd to warn all persons the rein fort hwith to
depa rt.
(2) If a ny pers on , after bei ng so war ned, except the perso ns act ual ly dw elling i n any such hous e, out-house, building,
she d, yard or other place s hall refuse or negl ect forthwith t o depa rt, it s hall be lawful for suc h constable , or a ny other
pers on or pe rsons he m ay have cal led to his aid, t o apprehend any perso n so refusi ng or negl ect ing t o depart , an d
every person, on c onviction of suc h refusal or ne glect to depart, s hall be lia ble to a fine not exceedi ng ten leone s a nd
every such drum, gon g, t om-tom , or other such i nstrum ent shall be dest royed a nd broke n up , and the owner or
occupier of such house , out-hous e, bu ilding, she d, yard, or othe r place, wh o s hall ha ve perm itted suc h persons
unlawfu lly to assem ble o r rem ain as aforesai d sh all on con victio n th ereof be liab le to a fine, no t ex ceed ing ten
leones .
(3) It shall be unlaw ful for a ny pers on excep t with th e per missio n of th e Co mmissio ner of Po lice, f irst had an d
obtained, to pl ay, or cause to be played, in or upon any house, out-house, buildi ng, sh ed, yard, or other place after the
ho ur of m idni ght or bef ore t he hour of six in the m orni ng, any gram op ho ne or similar instrument, and the occ upi er of
any s uch house , out-house , building, s hed or othe r place in or upon which any s uch instrument shall ha ve bee n
played between th e said hou rs, wit hou t su ch p erm issio n, sha ll b e gu ilty o f an offen ce and shall on con victio n th ereo f,
be l iable to a fine, not exce edi ng ten l eone s;
Pro vided that no pro secu tion shall be brough t und er th is sectio n in resp ect of an offen ce co mmitted in a priv ate
house, u nless the o ccup ier of su ch private hou se h as b een warn ed in writing by a Po lice Officer on not less than three
occasions whe n a similar offe nce was allege d to ha ve bee n committed, and with the consent of t he Attorney-Gene ral.
Affray. 11 . Every person , wh o t akes part in any af fray or incites a ny ot her pers on to take part in or com mence any af fray
shall b e gu ilty o f an offen ce an d shall b e liable o n conv iction , to a term of impriso nment not ex ceed ing twelv e
mont hs o r to a fine not excee ding one hu ndred a nd fifty leon es o r bot h.
Fo r the pu rposes of this sect ion t he e xpressi on “af fray ” m eans t he fi gh ting of two or more pers ons in the
presen ce of any person who neith er particip ates in, no r encourages t he fightin g an d is th ereb y frigh tened or pu t in
fear.
Riotous con duct. 12 . Every person who—
a) in any public way or place, or, in any house, yard, or ga rde n or other plac e open to publi c view, or within
pu blic hea ring; or
b) in any Court or police st ation, or in any lock-up nea r a Courtroom; or
c) in any theatre, conce rt hall, lecture room or othe r place of public ente rtainm ent or instrument of whate ver
kind , is gu ilty o f an y rio tou s, indecen t, disord erly, or in sultin g b ehaviou r,
shall, on conv ictio n th ereo f, be liab le to a fine, no t ex cee ding two hundred leones or to impri sonm ent for a pe riod not
exceedi ng eighteen m onths or both.
Street noises. 13 . (1) No pe rson sh all so un d or pl ay up on any m usic or noisy instrument, o r sing in any street , be fore the ho ur of
six in th e m ornin g or after th e ho ur of ten in the ev ening . Any pe rson co ntrave ning this sect ion s hall on con viction
there of, be liable to a fine not exceedi ng ten leone s.
(2) Any person who, in any street or public place, shall wilfully, or want only, and after be ing wa rne d to desist, ring
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any b ell or blow an y hor n or shell, or soun d or play an y m usical o r no isy in stru ment, o r sh ou t, sing , or mak e an y
other loud or unseem ly noi se t o the a nnoy ance o r disturbance o f any pe rson, shall on co nviction t here of be l iable to a
fine, no t ex ceed ing ten leon es:
Provi ded t hat this sect ion shal l not apply to the ringi ng of the bel l of any ch urch, chapel or other place o f
wo rship, or the beat ing of tom-toms or drum s in any m osque or other pl ace of worship, either for di vine s ervi ce or
for the purpose of m aking a n alarm in case o f an out brea k of fire.
(3) Whe re two or m ore pe rsons are jointly charge d a nd c onvict ed of a ny offence unde r this section, they s hall each be
liable on conviction t o a fine not excee ding ten l eones.
(4) Any perso n found committing a n offenc e agai nst this and t he prece ding sect ion m ay be t aken i nto custody
with ou t warrant, b y an y con stable or othe r police officer.
Perm ission for bands. 14 . It shall be unla wful for a ny ba nd of m usicians to parade a ny street without the written perm ission of the
Commissi oner of Pol ice, first had an d obtained, a nd a ny pe rson having the char ge or co ntrol of any such ban d which
shall p arad e any street witho ut su ch perm issi on, an d sh all wilfu lly refu se t o desist, wh en called up on to do so b y any
constab le sh all b e gu ilty o f an offen ce, and on co nv iction thereof sh all b e liab le to a fin e, not ex ceed ing fou r leon es:
Pro vided that no thing in th is section sh all b e deem ed to apply to an y m ilitary o r po lice b and, bugle, fife or dru m
of the Sierra Leone Armed F orces or Pol ice.
Treaspass. 15 . (1) Ev ery per son wh o—
a) unl awfully ent ers, i n an insul ting, an noying , or threat ening manner , up on any lawn, y ard, ga rden, ho use , or
prem ises b elong ing to an y other person ; or
b) unl awfully ent ers up on or, in, any such land, or other pl ace as af oresai d, a fter ha ving bee n forbi dde n by the
ow ner thereof, or hi s s ervant , to do so; or
c) unla wfully ent ers a nd rem ains upon, or an any such land or othe r place as aforesaid, afte r ha ving been
req uired by the owner there of or hi s s ervant , to de part therefrom ; or
d) havi ng lawfull y entered upon, or in, any such land or other place as aforesaid m iscond ucts him self by
behaving thereo n in an insultin g, an no ying or threaten ing man ner, or
e) havi ng lawfull y entered upon, or i n, any such land or other place as aforesaid, re mains thereon, after having
been lawfully requi red by the ow ner thereof or hi s s ervant to depa rt therefrom ;
shall be deem ed a wilful tres passer.
(2) E very person who is c onvicted of a wilful trespass unde r this section s hall be lia ble to a fine not e xceeding four
leones .
(3) Ev ery con stab le sh all assi st in th e apprehensi on and det ention of any wi lful trespasse r, wh enever ca lled up on to
do so by t he owne r, or by the servant of the ow ner of t he prope rty on which the tres pass t akes place.
(4) Ev ery co mp lain t fo r an offen ce und er t his sectio n sh all b e made by the owner of the p ropert y on , or wi th respect
to, wh ich th e offen ce is co mmit ted.
(5) In this secti on the te rm “owne r” includes any tena nt or occupier, a nd the attorn ey or agent of any owne r.
(6) No thing in this sectio n con tain ed sh all ex tend to an y case in which t he pa rty trespas sing acted unde r a fair a nd
reasona ble supposition t hat he ha d a right to go int o, or upon, suc h land or othe r place as aforesaid. CARRYI NG OF OF FEN SIVE WE AP ON S
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Prohibition o f car rying of o ffensi ve weapons without lawful author ity or reasonable excuse.
16 . (1) Any p erson wh o witho ut law ful autho rity or reasona ble exc use, the proof whe reof s hall lie on him , carries
with him in any p ublic p lace any offen sive weapon sh all be gu ilty o f an offen ce, and sh all b e liab le on conv ictio n to
im prisonm ent for a term not e xceedi ng fi ve years or t o a fine not e xcee ding one t housa nd leones , or both.
(2) Whe re a ny pers on is c onvi cted o f an offence un der subsection (1) th e c ourt m ay make an Order for the forfeitu re
or disposal of an y weapo n in resp ect of wh ich th e offen ce was co mmitted .
(3) A c onsta ble m ay arrest witho ut wa rra nt a ny pe rson whom he has rea sonabl e ca use to bel ieve t o be c ommitting a n
offence under subsection (1) if the c onstable is not satisfied as to that person’s i dentity or place of resi dence, or has
reaso nable ca use to bel ieve t hat it is necessa ry to ar rest him in order t o pre vent the c ommissi on by him of a ny ot her
offence in the cou rse o f committing which an of fen sive w eapo n might be use d. PART III – PR OCESS IONS Processions may be prohibited. 17 . (1 ) Any pe rso n who intends to take part or takes pa rt in organising or hol ding any processi on shal l first not ify the
Co mmissio ner of Po lice i n writin g of his in ten tio n to do so and an y person wh o fails to g ive su ch notificatio n as
aforesaid sh all be guilty of an offen ce.
(2) T he C ommissi one r of Pol ice shal l by order in writing address ed to such pe rso ns giving notice, di sal low t he
holding of an y processi on or i mpose su ch con dition s as h e sh all th ink fit on an y pro cessi on wh ere in h is op inion the
interests o f defen ce, pu blic o rder, p ublic safety or pu blic morality so requ ire.
(3) Any perso n who takes pa rt in any process ion which has been di sal lowe d by the C ommissi oner of Police o r fai ls to
com ply wi th any of the c onditions i mposed by hi m un der the provisions of sub-sect ion (2) shal l be gui lty of a n
offence .
(4) Any pe rson found guilty of an offenc e under this section shall be liable on conviction to a fine not e xceeding two
hundre d le ones or to im prisonment for a period not e xceedi ng six m onths or both.
(5) Th is section sh all no t ap ply to pro cessions of th e fo llowin g nature—
a) circum cision;
b) funeral;
c) marriage;
d) scou ts or girl gu ides;
e) schools.
Power to stop processions. 18 . (1) Any police o fficer m ay sto p an y processio n wh ich has b een disallow ed und er th is Par t or wh ich vio lates an y
of th e con dition s im posed und er th is part, an d m ay o rder su ch pro cession to disperse.
(2) Al l pe rso ns taking part in any such proce ssi on who r efuse t o obey an order by a pol ice o fficer to stop or di sperse
shall be liable on conviction to a fine not e xceeding forty leone s or t o impris onm ent for a pe riod not e xceedi ng three
mont hs o r to both.
Provisions as to exem pted pr ocessions. 19 . (1) E very perso n taking part in any proce ssi on exem pted un der the provisions of su bsect ion (6) of se ction 17 shall
keep to the left of th e m iddle lin e of an y ro ad th rou gh wh ich su ch processi on sh all p ass and sh all co mply with an y
direction of the po lice in reg ard to th e route wh ich it sh all fo llo w.
(2) Any person wh o con travenes an y of the prov isio ns of subsectio n (1 ) or who sh all in any w ay i nter fere with
vehicular or ped estrian traffic shall b e gu ilty o f an offen ce an d liab le, on co nv ictio n th ereo f, to a fi ne not ex ceed ing
ten leones or to im prisonm ent for a period not exceedi ng one m onth or both.
Prohibition o f cer tain 20 . (1 ) No person taking pa rt in a p roces sion shal l exce pt wi th the pe rm ission in writing o f the Commissione r of
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acts. Penalties.
Police—
a) carry a ligh ted torch ; or
b) carry or bea r any offe nsi ve weapons .
(2) An y person wh o con trav enes an y of the prov isio ns of this section sh all b e guilty of an offen ce and liable, on
conv ictio n th ereo f, to a fi ne no t ex ceed ing two hun dred leone s or t o impri sonm ent fo r a peri od not exceedi ng si x
mont hs o r bot h.
Power of Gover nor – General to exe mpt certain classes of per sons fr om operation of the Act.
21 . (1) T he Gover nor-Ge neral m ay from tim e to tim e by Or der exem pt from the operation of this Pa rt or a ny
provisions thereof , any ge nera l or pa rticular c lass o f pers ons sub ject to any term s or c onditions as he m ay by su ch
Or der impose.
(2) An y person to who m su ch Ord er shall app ly wh o fails or neglects to com ply with an y such term s o r co nd itio ns or
otherwise con trav enes the term s o f an y su ch Ord er sh all b e gu ilty o f an offen ce and sh all be liab le to a fin e no t
exceedi ng one hundre d le ones or to im prisonment fo r a te rm not excee ding si x m onths or both.
Interp retatio n. 22 . In th is Part —
“processi on” includes t he proceeding on any highway of a ny body of persons or vehicles in orderly
successi on. PART IV – PU BLIC MEET INGS Atte mpted intim idation of Ho use of Representatives or any co mm ittee.
23 . (1) If an y per son s to the nu mber of tw elve or m ore sh all co me in a r iotous, tumultu ous or disor derly man ner to
the precin cts of th e Hou se of Rep resen tativ es or an y co mmittee in sittin g, in ord er either to hinder or to promote th e
passing of any b ill, reso lution , or o ther matte r p end ing before th e Hou se of Rep resen tatives or su ch co mmit tee, th ey
shall each be guilty of a n offe nce a nd sh all, on conviction, each be liable t o a fine of four hundred leone s or to
im pri sonm ent for twelve m ont hs, or to both such fine a nd impri sonm ent .
(2) If a ny pers on sh all incite any ot her pe rsons to com e in a ri otous , tumultuou s or disorderl y m anner t o the preci nct s
of th e Ho use of Represen tatives wh ile th e Ho use of Rep resentativ es o r any committee is sittin g in order eith er to
hind er or to pro mote th e p assin g of an y b ill, reso lutio n or any m atter p ending before th e Hou se of Rep resen tativ es or
such co mmit tee, h e sh all b e gu ilty o f an offen ce an d sh all on co nv iction , be liab le to a fine of fou r hun dred leon es, or
to impri sonm ent for twelve m ont hs, or to both such fine a nd im pri sonment.
(3) An y person wh o with in five hu ndred yards of th e preci ncts o f th e Ho use of Repres entativ es is guilty of an y
rio tou s, ind ecen t, disord erly or in sultin g b ehav iou r, sh all on conv iction be liab le to a fine of one hun dred leon es or to
im pri sonm ent for six m ont hs or to both such fine an d i mpri sonm ent .
(4) It sh all be un lawfu l for any p erson to conv ene or call tog ether or to give an y notice for co nv ening or callin g
together an y meetin g co nsistin g of m ore th an fifty pers ons or for any number of persons exceedi ng fi fty to m eet in
any street, road or other public place within a distance of one mile from the Ho use of Re presentatives for the purpose
or on the pretex t of con siderin g or preparing an y p etition , complain t, remo nstrance, decl aratio n or other ad dress t o
the Governor-Gene ral or t o the House of Represen tativ es for alteration of m atters o f state o n an y day on wh ich th e
House of Re presentatives s hall meet or be su mm oned or prorogu ed to m eet:
Pro vided that no thing in th is su bsectio n contain ed shall be deem ed or tak en to ap ply to or affect an y sittin g of
any court b y law estab lish ed.
Public meetings in the Provinces. 24 . (1) Any pe rson who intends to conve ne or hold a public m eeting at a ny place in t he provinces shall first notify in
writing the Param ount C hief of the C hiefd om in which suc h place is situa ted.
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(2) A Param oun t Ch ief to who m notice h as been g iven under su bsectio n (1 ) sh all by order in writin g add ressed to
such person giving notice, disallow the convening or holdi ng of the public meeting in any place in the Provi nces or
impose such c onditions as he m ay consi der necessa ry on any such m eet ing whe re the int erests of defence, public
order, public safety o r pub lic moralit y reason ably so requ ire.
(3) Any perso n who co nvene s or hol ds a public meet ing i n cont rave ntion of an order m ade by the Para mount Chief
proh ibitin g th e sam e or fails t o co mply with an y of t he co nd itio ns im posed by th e Param oun t C hief under su bsectio n
(2) shall be guilty of a n offenc e.
(4) Any pe rson found guilty of an offenc e under this section shall be liable on conviction to a fine not e xceeding two
hundre d le ones or to im prisonment for a period not e xceedi ng six m onths or both.
(5) Any person wh o br eak s up or in an y other w ay proh ibits or in terferes wi th a public m eetin g co nv ened in th e
Prov inces by a can didate for an y electio n or by a political pa rty o r ag ent actin g on his b ehalf sh all b e guilty o f an
offence an d l iable o n convi ction to a fine not excee ding four hu ndred l eones o r impri son ment fo r a period not
exceedi ng twel ve m onths:
Provi ded t hat a Pa ram ount Chief, Chiefdom Council or Lo cal Au thority o r Distr ict or Po lice Officer sh all no t b e
guilty of an offen ce under th is sectio n wh ere such au tho rity as afo resai d has brok en up or in any o ther way proh ibited
or interfere d with any s uch public m eeting which is likely to lead to a brea ch of the peace or has in fact becom e
disorde rly.
Penalty on endeavour to br eak up public meeting. No. 14 of 196 2.
25 . Any perso n who at a l awful m eet ing act s in a disorderl y m anner f or the purpose of prevent ing t he transact ion of
the bu siness for wh ich th e m eetin g was called tog ether sh all b e guilty of an offen ce and on conv ictio n sh all b e
sentence d t o imprisonm ent for a period not exceedi ng two years, a nd if t he offe nce is c ommi tted at a political
meetin g held in an y Parlia mentary co nstitu ency b etween the date of th e issu e of a Pro clamatio n m ade un der section 6
of th e Elect oral Prov isio ns Act, 19 62 and the d ate ap po inted in su ch Pro clamatio n fo r the electio n, he shall b e gu ilty
of an offe nce a nd on c onvicti on shall be se ntenced t o im priso nment fo r a period no t ex ceed ing three years. PART V – DEF AMATORY AND SE DIT IONS L IBEL
DEFAMA TION Knowingly publis hing a false defam atory libel.
26 . An y person wh o m alicio usly p ublish es any d efam atory matter k nowing th e sam e to be false sh all b e gu ilty o f an
offen ce called lib el an d liab le on co nv iction to im priso nment fo r an y term no t ex ceed ing three years or to a fin e no t
exceedi ng one thousa nd leone s or bot h.
Defa matory libel. 27 . An y person wh o m alicio usly p ublish es any d efam atory matter sh all b e guilty of an offen ce called libel an d liab le
on conviction to a fine not e xceeding se ven hundre d le ones or to im prisonment for a period not e xceedi ng two years
or to both such fine an d i mpri sonm ent .
Plea of tr uth. 28 . (1) On th e trial o f an offence of lib el ag ain st sectio ns 26 or 27, the acc used having pleaded s uch plea as
herei naft er m entione d, the truth o f the m atters cha rged m ay be i nquired into, but shall not am ount to a defence ,
unless it was fo r th e pu blic ben efit th at t he said m atters charg ed sho uld be publish ed; an d to en title th e accu sed to
give e vidence of the truth of suc h m atters char ged as a de fence to s uch charge it shall be necessa ry for the acc use d in
plead ing to the said ch arg e, to alleg e in writin g th e truth of the said m atters ch arg ed in the m anner now requ ired in
plead ing a fai r commen t and justificatio n to an action for a defam atio n and furth er to alleg e in writin g th at it was fo r
the p ublic be nefit that the sai d m atters char ged s hould be pu blished a nd the pa rticular fact or fact s by rea son whereof
it was f or the publ ic bene fit that the sai d m atters c harged s houl d be pu blished to which plea t he p rosec utor s hall be at
lib erty to rep ly generally, denyin g th e who le th ereo f.
(2) Whe re the alleged libel c ontains se veral charges, and t he accuse d fails in proof of the truth of a ny one of the
matters alleg ed in it, or wh ere the alleg ed lib el is g eneral a nd the acc use d fa ils to prove so much of the plea unde r this
sectio n as would ju stify the lib el, th e Cou rt sh all find the accu sed guilty, an d it sh all be co mpeten t for t he C ourt, in
pronouncing se ntence, to consid er whether the guilty of t he accuse d is a ggrav ated or m itigated by t he sai d plea, a nd
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by the e vidence gi ven t o prove or disprove t he sam e.
(3) Th e m atter ch arg ed in th e alleg ed lib el com plained of by su ch ch arg e shall b e presu med to b e false, an d th e truth
thereo f shall in no case b e inqu ired in to in the ab sen ce of such plea as m entio ned in sub sectio n (1).
(4) IN add itio n to su ch plea it sh all b e co mpeten t to the defen dant to p lead a p lea of no t gu ilty.
(5) Sub ject t o the prov isio ns of th is sectio n, no thing in th is Part containe d s hall take a way or prejudice a ny defe nce
under th e p lea of no t guilty wh ich is now com peten t to th e defend ant to mak e under su ch p lea to an y charg e broug ht
un der sect ions 26 or 27.
Publication absolutely privileged. 29 . No p erso n shall b e crim inally liab le fo r th e publicatio n of defam atory matter in th e follo wing cases—
a) whe re the m atter i s pu blished by the Gove rnor-Ge neral or by Order of the Gove rnor-General in any official
doc um ent , Ga zette , or proceeding; or
b) wh ere t he publicatio n is m ade in a petitio n to th e Gov erno r-Gen eral or to a Min ister;
c) whe re the publ ication takes pl ace in a ny proc eeding held before or under t he a uthority of any court by la w
est ablished or un der a ny Act or Order or under the a uthori ty of the Gove rnor-General or of a M inister; or
d) whe re the publ ication takes pl ace sin a ny official report m ade by a person a ppointe d to hol d an inquiry
un der the aut hori ty of any Ac t or Order or of the Go vernor-Gene ral or a M inister; or
e) wh ere t he m atter is publish ed concern ing a person subj ect to m ilitary d iscip lin e for th e time b eing and
rel ates to his c onduct as a pe rson subject to such di sci pline, and is pu blished by som e per son ha ving
aut hori ty over him in respect of suc h cond uct; or
f) whe re the pu blicat ion i s cont ained i n any communi cat ion between M inisters, M inistries a nd public officers,
me mbers of the Arm ed Fo rces; pu blic officers an d m emb ers of the A rme d Forces; me mb ers of the Arme d
Forces, public officers in the co urse of their resp ectiv e du ties.
Cases in publication is conditionally privileged.
30 . No p erso n shall b e crim inally liab le fo r th e publicatio n of a defam atory matter in th e following cases—
a) wh ere t he defamato ry m atter co nsists of an ex tract fro m, or an ab stract of, a p etitio n to , or a Ga zette or
doc um ent pu blished by or under the a uthori ty of , the Gover nor-General or a M inister a nd the pu blicat ion i s
made wi thout exp ress m alice t o the pe rson defam ed; or
b) wh ere t he defamato ry m atter co nstitu tes, in who le or in part a fair rep ort, for th e inform ation of th e pub lic,
of any p roceedin g of any Cour t, w hether pr eli minary or final; or of any pub lic proceed ing of any bo dy
constitu ted or au tho rised to ho ld su ch proceed ing , by any Act or Ord er or o f any p ublic meetin g so far as the
public is co ncern ed in th e m atter pub lish ed if, in ev ery case the pub licatio n is m ade with ou t ex press m alice
to the pe rso n defam ed; or
c) wh ere t he publicatio n is for the in form atio n of th e pu blic at the request of any Minist er or public officer, or
whe re the defa matory m atter is any not ice or re po rt issue d by a de part ment of Gover nment or public of ficer,
for th e inform atio n of th e pu blic, and wh ere i n ev ery su ch case th e pu blicatio n is m ade wi thou t express
malice to th e person defam ed; or
d) wh ere t he defamato ry m atter co nsists of fair commen t wither on an y m atter th e pub licati on of wh ich or on
nay re port whi ch, is re fer red to in sec tion s 26 to 29 or in this sectio n; or
e) wh ere t he defamato ry m atter co nsists of fair commen t up on th e public co nd uct of an y p erso n in pub lic
affai rs, or upon the pu blic conduct of any pe rson em ploy ed i n the public ser vice i n the dischar ge of hi s
public du ties, or upon th e ch aracter of an y such person s so as it app ear s b y such co ndu ct; o r
f) wh ere t he defamato ry m atter co nsists of fair commen t on any pub lish ed bo ok or o ther literary p rod uction , or
any co mposition or wo rk of art, or perform ance pu blicly exhib ited , or an y su bject; or of the ch aracter of th e
aut hor of such bo ok, production, composi tion, w ork of art , or the per son exhi biting suc h per formance, so far
as their c haracters m ay appear there from respectively; or
g) whe re the pu blicat ion i s in good fai th for the purpose of see king rem edy or re dress for an y pri vate o r pu blic
wr on g or gri evance from a pe rso n who has or is reaso nably bel ieved by the pe rso n publ ishing t o have , the
right to rem edy or re dres s s uch wr ong or grievance; or
h) whe re the pu blicat ion i s m ade i n go od fai th by a pe rso n having any lawf ul aut hori ty over anot her , and is
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made by him in t he co urse of a cen sure pass ed by hi m on t he c onduct of that ot her , in m atters t o whi ch suc h
lawfu l au thority relates; o r
i) whe re the pu blicat ion i s m ade o n the invitation of the pers on defam ed; or
j) whe re the pu blicat ion i s m ade i n order to answer or ref ute some ot her def amatory m atter pu blished by the
pers on defam ed, c oncer ning the pers on m aking the publ icat ion; or
k) where t he defamato ry m atter co nstitu tes an answer t o inqui ries m ade of the person publish ing it, relati ng to
some su bject as to which the person by whom or on whose b ehalf the inqu iry is m ade, has, or on reason able
grou nd s is b elieved b y the perso n pub lish ing to have, an in terest in kn owing th e tru th, and if th e pub licati on
is m ade in go od faith for th e purpose of giving inform atio n in resp ect of t hat m atter to th at p erson ; or
l) wh ere t he defamato ry m atter co nstitu tes in form ation given to th e p erso n to wh om th e d efamatory m atter is
pu blished wi th res pect , to some sub ject as to whi ch he h a s, o r is on reas ona ble grounds bel ieved t o have,
such an in terest in kno wing the tru th, as to m ake th e cond uct o f th e person giving the inform ation
reasona ble in t he circ um stances:
Provi ded t hat as rega rds para gra phs (h), (i), (j) and (k), the pers on m aking the publicat ion ho nest ly bel ieves t he
matter p ublished is relev ant to th e m atter th e ex isten ce of wh ich m ay ex cuse t he publicatio n of defam atory m atter,
and th e m anner an d ex ten t of the pub licatio n do not ex ceed what is reas onably sufficient for the occa sion; and a s
rega rds para graph (l) th at th e defam atory m atter is relev ant to th e subj ect th erei n m entio ned ; and that it is eith er t rue
or is m ade wi thout m alice t o the pe rson de famed an d i n the hone st bel ieve, o n reas ona ble grounds , that it is true.
Protection of innoc ent sellers. 31 . Th e sale b y any p erson of an y boo k, p amp hlet, or o ther printed or written m atter o r, of an y nu mber or part of an y
peri odi cal is not a pu blicat ion t hereof for the p urposes of this Pa rt, unl ess suc h per son knows that such book
pamphlet o r written matter, o r nu mber or part, con tain s defamato ry m atter; or, i n th e case of an y part or number of
any p eriod ical that su ch period ical h abitu ally co ntains defamato ry m atter.
Publication of false news. 32 . (1) Any p erson wh o pub lish es any f alse state ment, rumour or repo rt wh ich is lik ely to ca use fear or alarm , to the
public or t o disturb the public peace sh all be guilty of a n offence a nd liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding
three hundre d l eone s or t o impris onm ent for a pe riod not e xceedi ng twel ve m onths, or to both suc h fine and
im pri sonm ent .
(2) Any person wh o pub lish es an y false statemen t, ru mour or rep ort wh ich is calcu lated to bring into disrepu te an y
person who hold s an office un der the Con stitutio n, in the disch arge of his duties sh all be guilty of an offen ce an d
liable on c onvi ction to a fine not e xcee ding five hundre d leone s or to im pris onm ent not e xceedi ng two y ears or both.
(3) Any person wh o pub lish es an y false statemen t, ru mour or rep ort wh ich is lik ely to in jure t he credit or re putation
of Sierra Le one or the Governm ent shall be guilty of a n offence a nd liable on c onviction to a fine not exceeding three
hu ndred l eones or to impri son ment fo r a t erm not excee ding twelve m ont hs or both.
(4) Th is section sh all no t ap ply to an y defamato ry m atter ex empted und er th e prov isio ns of section 30.
(5) It is no defence t o a c harge unde r this se ction t hat the perso n charged did not know or did not ha ve reaso n to
believ e that th e state ment, rum our or repo rt was false, un less he proves that bef ore he communicated such statem ent,
rum our or report, he took rea sona ble m easures to veri fy the accuracy of t his stat ement, rum our, or re port. SEDITIOUS L IBEL Offences. 33 . (1 ) Any pe rso n who—
a) doe s or at tempts to do , or m akes a ny pre paration t o do, or con spires wi th any pe rson to do, any act wi th a
sedi tious intention; or
b) utters a ny se ditious words; or
c) prints, publishes, sells, offers fo r sale, distri butes or reprodu ces an y sed itio us pub licatio n; o r
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d) imports an y sed itio us pub licatio n, un less he has no reason to believ e that it is sed itio us,
shall be guilty of an offe nce a nd liable for a first offence to imprisonm ent for a term not e xceedi ng three years, or to a
fine not excee ding one thousand leones or to both suc h impri sonment and fine, an d for a sub sequent offence s hall be
impriso ned for a term not ex ceed ing sev en years, an d ev ery su ch sed itio us pu blication sh all b e forfeited to th e
Go vernm ent.
Legal proceedings. 34 . (1) No prosecut ion for an offence under sect ion 33 shall be beg un except wi thin six mont hs aft er the o ffe nce i s
committed .
(2) A person sh all no t b e prosecu ted fo r an offen ce und er sectio n 33 witho ut the written co nsen t o f the Atto rney-
Gene ral.
Evidence. 35 . No pe rson shal l be co nvicted o f an offence u nde r sect ion 33 on the un cor roborat ed t estim ony of one wi tness only.
Governor-General may pr ohibit publication o f newspaper s in cer tain circu mstances .
36 . (1) Whe re any pe rson co nvicted of an offence un der sec tions 26, 27, 32 or 33 or of an attempt or a con spiracy to
commit o r of co mplicit y in , an y such offen ces, is a pu blisher, the Court sh all fo rthwith sen d a report of suc h a case to
the Governor-Gene ral.
(2) Th e Go vernor-G eneral m ay eith er of his ow n m otio n or on th e r ecommen datio n of the C ourt if in his op inion the
interest of pu blic order, p ublic safety, p ublic d efen ce o r public morality so requ ires, by ord er proh ibit t he pu blication
of the newspa per in which the de fam atory, sedi tious or fal se m atter appea rs, for any period not excee ding six m ont hs.
(3) An y person wh o fails to co mply with an order m ade by th e Gov erno r-Gen eral u nder su bsectio n (2) sh all be gu ilty
of an offe nce a nd liable on convic tion to be i mprisoned for a pe riod not e xceeding ei ghte en m onths .
(4) It shal l be an of fence to be gin o r cont inue to pu blish any ne wsp aper un der the s ubst antial managem ent of any
pu blisher in re spect of whose ne wsp aper a n Or der ha d bee n m ade u nde r subs ect ion (2) unless t he order is no longer
in fo rce and any p erson guilty of an offen ce under th is sectio n shall b e liable o n conv iction to b e im priso ned fo r a
peri od not exceedi ng ei ghteen m ont hs.
(5) F or the purpos e of t his sec tion—
“pu blisher” m eans a ny pri nter, edi tor or prop rietor of a newspaper a nd e very age nt or em ploy ee or ot her
pers on act ing on the instructions of any such edi tor or proprietor, or any pe rson conce rned wi th the
managem ent of a newspa per;
“prop rietor” inclu des as well as th e so le prop rietor of any news paper, as also in the ca se of a divi ded
proprietorshi p the person who as part ners o r ot herwi se represent a nd are responsi ble for any share or interest
in the news paper as betwee n t hem selves and the pe rsons in lik e m anner represen ting or resp on sible fo r th e
other shares or interest s therein a nd no other pers on;
“newspa per” means any pa per containi ng publ ic new s or o ccur rence s, or any rem arks or obser vations
therein, printed fo r sale and pu blish ed p eriod ically o r in parts or nu mbers.
Interp retatio n. 37 . In th is Part —
“defam atory matter” m eans any m atter which if published of and c oncerni ng a pe rson (deceased or alive) is
likely to ex pose hi m to pu blic hat red, co ntempt or ri dicule or to dam age him in hi s trade, b usiness,
profe ssi on, cal ling, or office whet her suc h matter be ex pressed i n spoke n wo rds or i n any au dible sounds or
in wor ds leg ibly marked or in any su bstan ce whatev er or by an y si gn or object sign ifying such m atter
otherwi se than by words wi ther directly o r by in sinu atio n or iro ny;
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“import” m ean s to being into Sierra Leon e;
“peri odi cal pu blicat ion” i nclude s e very pu blicat ion i ssue d peri odi cal ly or in pa rts or numbers at intervals
whet her re gul ar or i rre gul ar;
“sed itio us in ten tio n” in cludes an inten tion —
i. to bring i nto hatred or co ntem pt or to excite di saf fect ion ag ainst the per son of He r M ajes ty, her
Heirs or succes sors , or the Governor-Ge neral or the Cabinet or the adm inistration of the
Go vernm ent of Si erra Le one as by law est ablished; or
ii. to exci te citizens of Si erra Le one or other resident s in Si erra Leo ne to attempt to pr ocu re the
alterat ion, otherwi se than by lawf ul m eans, o f any ot her m atter in Sierra Le one as by law
estab lish ed; or
iii. to bring into hatred or con temp t or t o ex cite disaffectio n again st th e ad ministratio n of ju stice in
Sierra Leo ne; or
iv. to rai se discont ent or disaf fect ion am on gst citizens o f Si erra Leo ne or ot her resi dents in Si erra
Leon e; or
v. to en cou rage or promote feelin gs of ill-w ill an d ho stility b etween d ifferen t trib es or
natio nalities or b etween person s of differe nt relig iou s faith in Sierra Leon e;
but does not include a n intention—
a) to s how t hat Her Maje sty has been m isled or mistaken in a ny of he r m easures; or
b) to po int ou t erro rs or defects in th e gov ern ment or C onstitu tio n of Sierra Leo ne as by law estab lish ed or a
legislation or in the adm inistrat ion of justice wi th a vi ew to the rem edy ing o f such er rors or de fect s; or
c) to pe rsuade the Citizens o r inhabitants of Sierra Le one to atte mpt to pro cure b y lawfu l m eans the alteratio n
of an y m atter in Sierra Leon e as b y law establish ed; or
d) to po int ou t, with a view t o their rem oval, any matters whi ch a re prod uci ng, or have a t endency to produce,
feelin gs of ill-will an d en mity between differen t classes of th e popu latio n of Sierra Leone; an d
in determ ining wh ether th e inten tio n with which an y act was do ne, an y word s were spok en or an y do cumen t was
pu blished, was or was not sed itious, e very perso n shall be deem ed t o intend the co nse quences which would nat ural ly
fol low from hi s co nduct at the time and under the circum stances i n whi ch he so co nduct ed himself:
“sedi tious publicat ion” m eans a p ublicat ion havi ng a se ditious intention;
“sed itio us word s” m ean s word s having a seditio us in ten tio n;
“to p ublish” i ncludes —
a) wi th refe rence to spoken wo rds or au dible sounds, t o speak s uch words or m ake suc h soun ds i n the
heari ng of anot her pe rson;
b) in all o ther cases, to cau se, direc tly o r indirectly th e p rint, writing , painting, effig y or other m ean s
by wh ich th e defam atory, seditio us or false matter is co nv eyed , to b e so dealt with , eith er by
exhibitio n, read ing , recitatio n, d escrip tion , deliv ery or otherwise, so th at t he defam atory, sed itiou s
or fal se m eani ng thereof bec ome kno wn or is likely to bec ome kno wn to any pe rson (includi ng the
class of persons or person who m th e d efam atory, sed itio us or false m atter may b e un derstood to
refe r to ).
PART VI – PU BLIC EM ERG ENCY Regulation. 38 . (1) During a period of public emerge ncy, the Governor-Gene ral acting in acco rdance with the ad vice of the Prim e
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Minister m ay make suc h Regulations as a ppear t o hi m to be necessa ry or expe dient for the pu rpose s of m aintaining
and sec urity pe ace, order a nd good Gove rnm ent in Sierra Leone or a ny part there of.
(2) Withou t prejud ice t o th e gen erality of th e po wers con ferred b y sub sectio n (1 ), th e Regu latio ns m ay, s o far as
appea rs to the Gove rnor-General acting as a foresaid to be necessa ry or expe dient for a ny of the purposes m entioned
in th at sub sectio n—
a) make p rovision for the det ention of pers ons and the depo rtation a nd ex clusion of pers ons from Si erra Le one
or any part t hereof;
b) autho rise—
i. the taking of possessi on or control on behal f of the Gove rnment of any prope rty or un dertaki ng;
ii. the acqu isitio n, on behalf of the Go vernment of an y prop ert y other th an lan d;
c) autho rise th e en tering and search of an y pr emis es;
d) prov ide for am ending an y law, fo r susp end ing th e op eratio n of an y law , and for ap plying any law with or
with ou t m odificatio n;
e) provide for c harging , in res pect of the gra nt or issues of any license, perm it cert ificat e or other doc um ent fo r
the pur po ses of th e Reg ulations su ch fees as may b e pr escr ibed b y or under th e Regu lation s;
f) provide for paym ent of c ompensat ion a nd re munerat ion t o pers ons a ffect ed by the R egulations;
g) provide for the ap pre hension, trial and punishm ent of per sons offendi ng against the R egulations;
h) prov ide for m aintain ing su ch supp lies an d serv ices as ar e, i n th e op inion f the Go vernm ent-Gene ral acting as
aforesaid, essen tial to th e life of th e C omm unity:
Pro vided that no thing in th is su bsectio n shall au thorise the m aking of prov isio n fo r th e trial of perso ns by
mil itary co urts.
(3) T he pay ment of any compensat ion or remunerat ion under the provisions of such Regul ations s hall be a c harge
up on the Consolidated R evenue F und .
(4) R egul ations m ade un der this subse ction shal l ap ply to the wh ole of Sierra Leo ne or to such part or part s there of as
may b e sp ecifi ed in th e Regu latio ns.
Order s and Rules under the Regulation. 39 . Reg ulations m ade under sectio n 38 m ay prov ide for em powering such au tho rities o r person s as may be specified
in th e R ules Reg ulation s to mak e Ord ers an d Ru les for an y of th e pu rposes fo r wh ich the Reg ulation s are au thorised
by this Act to be m ade an d m ay cont ain such incident al and s upplementary pr ovisions as ap pear to the Go vernor-
Gene ral acting as aforesai d to be necessa ry or ex pedient for the pur po ses of th e Reg ulations.
Regulations, Or ders and Rules to be appr oved by Parlia ment.
40 . (1) E very Regul ation m ade un der sect ion 38 an d e very Or der or Rule made i n pu rsuance of suc h a regul ation
shall, with ou t preju dice t o the v alid ity of anyth ing law fully do ne th ereunder , from th e d ate u pon which it ca me in to
ope rat ion unl ess, b efore the e xpirat ion of t hat pe riod, it has been ap proved by res olution passed by the Hous e of
Rep resen tativ es.
(2) Any such Regul ation, Order R ule m ay, without prejudice t o the val idity of any thing lawf ully done there unde r at
any time be am ende d or re voked by res olutions passe d by the H ous e of R eprese ntatives.
Inconsistency . 41 . Every Regulation m ade unde r sect ion 38 an d e very Or der or R ule m ade i n pu rsuance of suc h a Regulation s hall
have ef fect not wi thstanding anything in co nsistent there with cont ained i n any law; and any provi sions of a l aw which
is in con sisten t with an y su ch Reg ulation , Ord er or R ule sh all, whet her that provision has or has not been am ended,
modi fied o r suspe nde d i n its ope rat ion un der this act , to the ext ent of such inconsi stency have no effec t so l ong as
such Regu lation , Ord er or Ru le rem ains in force.
Presu mption of authenticity. 42 . Every document pu rporting t o be an instrument made or issue d by the Go vernor-G eneral or other a uthority or
pers on in pursuance of this Act, or of a ny Regul ation m ade u nde r sect ion 38 an d t o be si gne d by or on behal f of t he
Gove rnor-General or suc h other aut hority or person, shall be receive d in ev ide nce, and shall until the c ont rary is
proved, be dee med t o be a n instrument made o r issued by the Go vernor-General or that authori ty or per son .
12

Th e Law s of Si erra Leon e on the Sier ra Leone Web
The Pu blic Order Act , 1965

Interp retatio n. 43 . In th is Part —
“peri od of pu blic em ergency ” means any peri od during whi ch—
a) Sierra Leone is at wa r; or
b) there is i n force a reso lution of th e Hou se of Rep resen tativ es supp orted b y the vo tes of not less th an
two-th ird s of all th e m embers of th e Hou se decl aring that a state of public emergency e xists.
PART VI I – P OWERS AND DUT IES OF THE P OLICE Powers to close licensed pre mises in case of riot.
44 . A police officer not bel ow the rank of Superi ntendent, a Magistrate or t wo Justices of the Peace, whe neve r any
tum ult, riot, or felony ha ppens , or is expected to happe n in a ny place m ay or der e very pers on who sells intoxicating
liquors on pre mises in or nea r the place whe re s uch tum ult, riot or fel ony happe ns, or is expecte d to happe n t o close
suc h prem ises du ring any time w hich t he sai d pol ice officer , M agistrat e or Just ices m ay orde r; an d a ny perso n who
keep s ope n a ny suc h prem ises d uring any time du ring whi ch t he sai d police o fficer , M agistrat e or Ju stices shal l have
ordere d t hem to be closed, s hall on c onvicti on, be liable t o a pe nalty not e xceedi ng three hundre d le ones ; and it shall
be lawful for a ny m ember of t he Police Fo rce, after s uch order has bee n given, to use s uch force as m ay be necessa ry
for th e pur po se of clo sing su ch prem ises.
Provisions only to apply when not in force by procla mation.
48 . It shall be l awful for the Prim e Minister, whe never any t umult or ri ot has take n place or m ay reasona bly be
appre hende d, or public orde r is ot herwise e ndange red, by Proclam ation, to put in force for a peri od not e xceedi ng
three m onths in such area s as are nam ed in t he sai d Pro clamatio n all o r an y of t he fo llowing prov isio ns—
a) a police officer m ay disperse any assem blage whateve r; which in his op inion is lik ely to cau se, provo ke,
facilitate or re nder m ore serious, any disturbance or breac h of the peace in any street, hi ghway, path or
pu blic pl ace an d m ay arrest an y pers on in such assem blage refusi ng or del aying t o di sperse, o r
reassem bling, after dispe rsal. Any pe rson so reassem blin g sh all if th e Magistrate co nsid ers th at th ere was
reaso nable ground for dispers ing t he assem blage, be liab le on su mm ary co nv ictio n to imp riso nment fo r a
peri od not exceedi ng si x m onths, or to a fine not excee ding one hundred leone s, or both.
b) any pe rson found in a street, highway, path or public place in pos session of any stick, stave, bl udge on, iron
bar , or wea pon of any so rt or descri ption which, i n the op inio n of th e po lice officer, he is carrying eith er for
the pur po se of assistin g a d isturbance or is lik ely to use in case of a distur ban ce ar isin g, m ay b e ar rested , and
if th e Mag istrate is o f th e same op inion , be su mmarily conv icted by him, and pu nished in like m anner a s is
laid do wn in par agraph (a);
c) any pe rson m aking use of any words or gestures whi ch i n the op inion of a police officer i s likely to lead to a
breac h of the peace, m ay be arreste d and m ay be s umm arily convicted; by him and punishe d in like m anne r
as is laid down in parag raph (a).
Repeal and saving s. 49 . Th e Acts men tio ned in th e first co lumn of th e Sch edu le ar e here by repealed t o the e xtent s pecifie d in the second
column:
Pro vided that an y acti on in stitu ted or permit issu ed under an y en actm ent rep ealed b y the section sh all co ntinu e in
force, as if t he sam e had been institu ted , issued or m ade under th is Act.
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The Laws of Sierra Leone on the Sierra Leone Web The Public Order Act, 1965

14

SCHEDULE
Short Title Extent of Repeal

Cap. 4

Cap. 29
Cap. 37
Cap. 73
Cap. 222
14 of 1962
70 of 1962
No. 24 of 1963
No. 7 of 1964
32 Geo. 3 c. 60
57 Geo. 3 c. 19

60 Geo. 3 & 1 Geo. 4 c. 8
6 & 7 Vic c. 96
38 7 39 Vic c. 86

1. House of Reps. Powers and Privileges
Act
2. The Sedition Act
3. Summary Conviction Offences Act
4. Processions Act
5. Trade Disputes (Declaration of Law) Act
6. Electoral Provisions Act
7. Emergency Powers Act 1962
8. Prevention of Crime Act
9. Police Act
10. Libel Act 1792
11. The United Kingdom Seditious
Meetings Act 1817
12. Criminal Libel Act 1819
13. The United Kingdom Libel Act 1843
14. Conspiracy and Protection of Property
Act 1875

Section 9.
The whole Act.
Section 20, 21, 29, 31, 32, 34, 36-40 & 62.
The whole Act.
Section 7 & 8.
Sections 85 & 87.
The whole Act.
The whole Act.
Sections 28-33.
The whole Act.
The whole Act.

The whole Act.
The whole Act.
The whole Act.
P ASSED in the House of Representatives this 14th day of December, in the y ear of our Lord one thousand nine
hundred and sixty-five.
S.V. WRIGHT
Clerk of the House of Representatives.
T HIS PRINTED IMPRESSION has been carefully compared by me with the Bill which has passed the House of
Representatives and found by me to be a true and correctly printed copy of the said Bill.
S.V. WRIGHT
Clerk of the House of Representatives.