A young Sierra Leonean man caused a stir at a payment centre along Walpole Street in central Freetown after he allegedly pretended to be physically disabled in an attempt to gain access to a payment process reserved for vulnerable persons.

According to eyewitness accounts at the scene, the man arrived at the pay point in a wheelchair and joined a queue reportedly designated for persons living with disabilities.

Report claimed that he remained in the queue for nearly an hour before eventually reaching the registration desk, where officials became suspicious about his condition.

It further disclosed that registration personnel questioned the man and asked him to stand up for verification purposes. However, he reportedly refused, insisting that he was unable to stand or walk on his feet.

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The situation later attracted the attention of security personnel stationed at the venue. Following intervention by the security officers, the man eventually stood up from the wheelchair, prompting shock and outrage among people gathered at the pay point.

Several people at the scene, according to report, immediately accused the man of pretending to be disabled in order to benefit from the process. The incident reportedly caused temporary commotion, with some members of the public condemning what they described as an attempt to deceive officials and exploit opportunities meant for genuinely disabled persons.

As of the time of reporting, authorities at the centre had not issued an official statement on the matter, and the identity of the young man had not been disclosed.