Alhaji Samuel Sam-Sumana ( APC )  -  Speaker of Parliament Abel Nathaniel Bankole Stronge ( APC )  -  Chief Justice Haja Umu Hawa Tejan-Jalloh Legislature Parliament Independence  -  from the United Kingdom 27 April 1961   -  Republic declared 19 April 1971  Area  -  Total 71,740 km 2  ( 119th ) 27,699 sq mi   -