By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has once again found itself at the centre of controversy, this time over what appears to be a thinly veiled attempt to intimidate Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, the leader of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
A leaked letter from his legal representative, Ady Macauley Esq., dated 3 February 2025, exposes the dubious nature of the so-called police invitation to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This latest move by the authorities raises serious concerns about the abuse of law enforcement powers for political purposes.
According to the letter addressed to R.P.G. Roberts, the Assistant Inspector General of Police and Director of Crime Services, the SLP made several unsuccessful attempts to reach Dr. Kamara via telephone. Instead of issuing a formal written summons stating the reason for their invitation, the police opted for informal communication, a method that reeks of harassment rather than legitimate legal procedure.
Even more telling is the fact that Dr. Kamara’s lawyer had to learn of the polices demand of the police through a phone call rather than through any official documentation. This lack of transparency raises troubling questions about the true nature of the summon. Why is a leading political figure being called to the CID without clear justification? What does the police intend to achieve by keeping both Dr. Kamara and his legal team in the dark?
The Sierra Leone Police is no stranger to politically motivated actions, and this latest episode follows a well-documented pattern of harassment against opposition figures.
This same police force was responsible for the brutal crackdown on the August 2022 protests, during which security personnel fired live bullets into crowds, killing over two dozen civilians.
More recently, journalists, activists, and opposition members have been subjected to arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions under questionable circumstances. The case of Dr. Kamara fits neatly into this disturbing trend.
The timing of the police invitation is equally suspicious. Dr. Kamara, a leading political figure, has been actively engaging citizens and strengthening his political base ahead of crucial political events. The sudden and unexplained demand for him to appear at CID reeks of a deliberate effort to disrupt his activities and create unnecessary distractions.
To make matters worse, his legal representative, Ady Macauley, noted in the letter that Dr. Kamara had travelled to the provinces due to his mother’s illness. The insistence of the police on his immediate presence, despite this genuine family emergency, further exposes their bad faith. Rather than following proper legal channels, they are employing pressure tactics that appear designed to keep him under constant scrutiny.
If the SLP has legitimate reasons for summoning Dr. Kamara, they must follow the rule of law by issuing a formal, written summons stating the exact nature of their request. Anything short of that is nothing more than harassment and political intimidation.
Sierra Leoneans must not remain silent in the face of the continued abuse of power. The international community, human rights organizations, and civil society groups should take note of this worrying development and demand transparency and accountability from the SLP.
The law enforcement apparatus should serve the people, not political interests. Until the Sierra Leone Police can demonstrate genuine impartiality and professionalism, they will continue to be viewed as an instrument of oppression rather than a force for justice.
