The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has responded to accusations made by the Secretary General of the All People’s Congress (APC), stating that the government is interfering with police operations related to the detention of APC supporters.
The APC letter, which was also circulated on social media, alleged that the government pressured the police to prolong the detention of their members and bring charges against them.
The SLP, however in a press release issued today, has firmly denied these allegations.
“The actions of the Police within the vicinity of APC Party Headquarters and the subsequent detentions are solely initiated by the Police and not, in any way, dictated by the government of Sierra Leone,” the statement clarified.
The police explained that their deployment at the APC headquarters on October 15, 2024, was based on a request from the APC’s own Secretary General.
According to the SLP, the Secretary General had raised concerns about potential disruptions during a meeting with a delegation of international guarantors, including ECOWAS, the African Union, UNOWAS, and the Commonwealth.
“We responded to a direct request from the APC to maintain order,” the SLP noted.
However, the situation escalated when a group of individuals, described by the police as acting in a “disorderly manner with clear riotous intent,” was arrested under the Public Order [Amendment] Act 2020. The suspects were detained and are under investigation by the Criminal Investigations Department.
Interestingly, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, in a radio interview on October 16, 2024, reportedly distanced the party from those arrested.
“The individuals detained by the police were not APC supporters,” the Publicity Secretary was quoted as saying during the Radio Democracy 98.1 interview.
The SLP expressed confusion over the Secretary General’s subsequent complaints, given that the party had publicly denied that the detained individuals were APC members.
“The leadership is surprised by the Secretary General’s complaint, as the Publicity Secretary himself stated on air that those arrested were not affiliated with the APC,” the police added.
The police also emphasized that the arrests and investigations were part of their statutory duties.
“The public should note that the SLP enjoys operational independence in the execution of its functions, as provided for by law,” the statement concluded, reassuring that the investigation was being conducted without external influence.
The matter remains under investigation, with the police reiterating their commitment to upholding law and order.
