Freetown, Sierra Leone – On Wednesday, June 12, 2024, L_A_W_Y_E_R_S_ reported troubling incidents of force used against legal practitioners, particularly female lawyers, at the Headquarters of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police on Pademba Road.
The organization, known for its advocacy for women’s rights, expressed strong condemnation of the alleged violence.
“We are appalled by the actions of certain police officers who manhandled our colleagues,” stated a representative from L.A.W.Y.E.R.S. “To the extent of shoving, choking, snatching their mobile phones, and depriving them access to the premises, such behavior is unacceptable.”
L.A.W.Y.E.R.S. emphasized the crucial role lawyers play in a democratic society, underscoring the need for safe and full participation of women in the legal profession.
“In building a progressive democratic state, the role of lawyers cannot be overemphasized,” they added.
The organization, which focuses on advancing the rights and protection of women and girls in Sierra Leone, highlighted the importance of safety for all women. “It is important for all women to feel and be safe, a duty that is enshrined in the mandate of the Sierra Leone Police,” L.A.W.Y.E.R.S noted.
In response to the incident, L.A.W.Y.E.R.S. pledged to engage with the Sierra Leone Police’s accountability mechanisms, including the Complaints, Discipline and Internal Investigation Department and the Police Complaints Board.
“On behalf of and in solidarity with our colleagues, we will continue to take steps to seek redress and address a culture of violence against women in Sierra Leone,” the organization affirmed.
This incident has drawn widespread attention, highlighting ongoing concerns about the treatment of women in professional roles and the need for systemic change within the police force.
One of the victims, Henrietta Kargbo on post shared on social media stated that,
“I was chocked, pushed and eventually put under gun point by three men at the CID — all of whom I can very well identify — today, 12th June 2024. Two of the said men were in OSD uniform, and the other who wore casual clothes I am informed is a driver at the CID.
It is of essence to note that RPG, the head of CID was also present at the scene shouting that any lawyer who refuses to leave the CID compound should be pushed out and/or arrested.
The said “driver” who at a point held fastly to me, notified me that I was under arrest and swore to his mother that I will sleep in police custody. When I demanded to see the fiat of the AG authorizing my arrest, he locked eyes with me and shouted in my face, in the presence of RPG that “ no law nor dae wae say r need AG e permission for arrest you and I will prove that today!”
This was all due to my attempt to capture video evidence of two male officers who jumped on and physically assaulted a fellow female colleague.
My phone was confiscated by the officers and I was forced by the Cyber Unit to delete all videos taken at the CID before it was eventually handed back to me, an hour later.
My collarette was ripped off my neck and I was called names by officers as we (myself and other colleagues) were escorted out of the CID compound.
I am still in pain from the tight grips of men who are about two times my body weight. If it were not for the grace of God and efforts of fellow colleagues, I would have been killed or unlawfully detained at the CID today.
This happened to me in broad daylight, and if it can happen to me it can happen to you.
At this point it is apparent that to be a lawyer today in #SierraLeone is not only to fight for justice but it is to fight for your life.”
