By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Sierra Leone Police is facing growing public scrutiny following allegations that officers at the New England Police Post and the Force’s Media Directorate failed to act decisively in a reported fraud and assault case involving a beauty business operating as Spa by Aisha’s in Aberdeen.
The business, located on Dillet Street with an outlet in Aberdeen, is accused of defrauding a customer during a human hair transaction that later escalated into claims of assault, defamation and police inaction. The complainant, whose identity is being withheld, said she paid NLe 2,400 for what was advertised on the spa’s social media page as premium human hair.
Due to work commitments outside Freetown, she sent her younger sister to collect the item on her behalf. Upon collection, the sister was allegedly given a hairpiece different from what was advertised online. The item was reportedly wrapped in a plastic bag and suspected to be fake.
When the complainant returned to Freetown on January 2, 2026, she said she discovered the discrepancy and immediately contacted the business owner to request a refund. The owner allegedly refused, insisting the shop does not operate a refund policy.
Following the refusal, the matter was reported at the New England Police Post. The complainant stated that while at the station, one of the shop attendants called her and asked her to return to the shop for a refund but declined to state the amount to be refunded.
Police officers reportedly accompanied her back to the shop, where she was allegedly offered NLe 1,200, half of the original payment. She rejected the offer and demanded a full refund. According to her account, tensions escalated and shop attendants allegedly assaulted both her and the police officers present.
She later returned to the police post with the hairpiece and the NLe 1,200 as exhibits and filed a formal complaint the same day.
In follow up inquiries, this writer contacted the Operations Officer at the New England Police Post, who confirmed the substance of the complaint and stated that he would be willing to testify if the matter proceeds to court. Despite this, no arrests have reportedly been made weeks after the incident.
The complainant alleges that police officers have given varying explanations for the delay in apprehending the suspects. She further claimed that the business has continued to post on social media platforms and blogs, branding her a thief, an allegation she strongly denies.
This writer also contacted the Head of Media of the Sierra Leone Police, who confirmed intervening after the business raised concerns over social media posts involving police officers. He said his intervention was limited to addressing issues between the police and the business and did not extend to the customer’s complaint.
Critics have questioned why swift action was taken regarding the business’s grievance while the alleged fraud and assault claims remain unresolved. The complainant said the online accusations have caused her severe emotional distress and trauma.
Management of the spa had not issued a formal public response to the allegations at the time of publication. The case has intensified public debate over accountability, impartiality and whether justice is being delayed in the heart of Freetown.
