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In a shocking incident today, Female lawyer Henrietta Kargbo has accused police officers at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of assault, intimidation, and threats, after being invited there following a report by the newly elected president of the Bar Association Tuma Gento
It is further alleged that Kargbo and her colleagues, who accompanied her in solidarity, were reportedly attacked and molested by the police.
According to Kargbo, the altercation occurred when she attempted to document an assault on a fellow female colleague by male officers.
Kargbo recounted the harrowing experience, stating, “I was choked, pushed, and eventually held at gunpoint by three men at the CID — all of whom I can identify. Two were in OSD uniforms, and the third, dressed casually, was identified as a driver at the CID.”
The head of CID, known as RPG, was reportedly present during the incident. Kargbo alleges that RPG ordered officers to remove any lawyer who refused to leave the premises, either by force or arrest.
“The said ‘driver,’ who at one point held me tightly, declared my arrest and swore I would spend the night in police custody. When I asked to see the authorization from the Attorney General, he shouted in my face, in the presence of RPG, that he needed no such permission,” Kargbo detailed.
This confrontation stemmed from Kargbo’s attempt to record video evidence of two male officers assaulting her colleague. Her phone was confiscated and the Cyber Unit forced her to delete the footage before returning the device an hour later.
“My collarette was ripped off my neck, and I was verbally abused by officers as we were escorted out of the CID compound,” Kargbo stated. “I am still in pain from the tight grips of men who are about twice my body weight. If it were not for the grace of God and the efforts of fellow colleagues, I could have been killed or unlawfully detained.”
Kargbo’s account has raised serious concerns about the treatment of legal professionals in Sierra Leone. “This happened to me in broad daylight, and if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. It is apparent that being a lawyer in Sierra Leone today means not only fighting for justice but also fighting for your life,” she concluded.
The allegations have sparked outrage among the legal community and the public, calling for an urgent investigation into the conduct of the CID officers involved.
Really????
God what wrong have we done in that country (Sierra Leone) to deserve such treatment? Please God have mercy on us for any sin we have committed against you and our fellow man in Jesus mighty name, Amen.
If this can happen to a lawyer, it means Sierra Leone is not safe for the common people! But its a good news to hear that lawyers too have started face injustice! Because they deliberately fail to stand for the justice of this country, they fail to defend the principle of separation of powers and rule of law. They think being a lawyer means only self defense. Now d executive arm is beginning to teach you that you have a big deal as a judiciary!
Just imagine now what d common people are facing in this country! This country is not safe!
Wow!!
This is serious if only it’s the real facts, despite she been a lawyer, it’s valence against women!!!
What’s a way we’re going???
Sister Kargbo may Allah continue to see us through Ameen.
How d police dem don sell dem birth right for coco yebeh na so d lawyer dem sef don do bcoz dem all don politicize dem profession. Therefore, that is the resultant effect.
What is really happening in our devoted beloved country mama salon 🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱?
Allah please take control of our country situation and try to prevail the truth between barrister kargbo and the alleged officers as we are not present in the scene.it is only you can that is not partial
Lord have mercy
Som of Dem police officers Dem ya nor fit. Dem bi dea na Bush na baster rebel Dem. Dem just gee Dem uniform wit out any process. I member d time way Dem go shot shot na APC building som nor even wearr uniform sef. Dem put on mask. Tin Dem dea na we contry yA
This is serious. The result of state capture. Your very own colleague in your profession has reduced once a very envy profession to be ridiculed.
This event should spark diverse comments due to the people involved. Besides, she’s somebody who is supposed to not only know about the rule of law but also to abide by the latter. In my humble opinion, the question I asked myself was that; does she have the right to make a video clip in that office, and at that moment???
To answer to such question, it will be necessary to ask sister barrister to take the matter to court in order to acquire the opportunity to defend her rights (responsibilities). Such situations are part of the reasons why the legislator wrote those texts…she’s part of those who chose to interpret and implement the legislator’s thoughts…
Anyone who analyzes this issue from a political angle that person will miss the point…
If I may ask a question, in salone, when law makers or jurists have problem problem with an ordinary citizen what happens? Isn’t it the ordinary man suffers…this may not have anything to do with politics fellow commentators…let’s look things from different angles or with positive perspectives so we won’t develop hard feelings for anyone in vein…
Judge not. Two sides to the story
This is happening simply because we have taken National politics into our judicial and legal system of Sierra Leone.
May God forgive our beloved country. Mama Salone.