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Thomas Babadi and Wadi Williams, members of the Concerned Sierra Leoneans group who were arrested by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) last week, have been released from the custody of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today.
The pair had been detained over their plans to stage a peaceful protest urging the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) to release the 2023 presidential election results.
Babadi and Williams were identified as key organizers of the protest and had formally written to the police, requesting their presence during the exercise of what they described as their civil and constitutional rights. However, in a press statement, the SLP alleged that the two had failed to meet certain procedural requirements and had made “unclear statements” in their communications. As a result, both were remanded in custody.
The planned protest, which was scheduled for December 10, 2024, did not materialize following their arrest.
The release of Babadi and Williams was reportedly facilitated by prominent civil society leaders, including Bai Koroma of the Citizens’ Rights Network, King-Kaprr Thallay Bah, President of the Civil Society Union, Lamin Shérif, Secretary-General of the Civil Society Union, and legal representatives, including Barrister J.B. Sesay.
