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The Centre for Human Rights and Development International (CHIRDI) has uncovered several concerning issues surrounding the treatment of suspects held in police custody at various stations in Freetown, following a recent monitoring exercise.
According to CHIRDI, monitoring activities at the Lumley and Congo Cross Police Stations revealed that some detainees had access to gas lighters and cigarettes, raising serious safety and security concerns. Of equal concern was the finding that female suspects were not being provided meals due to food shortages, exposing a troubling gap in the protection of detainees’ rights.
CHIRDI also reported the case of a female suspect with prior charges who has remained in custody without being served a court summons—an indication of possible lapses in due process. Another disturbing incident involved an elderly man who was reportedly detained after filing a complaint regarding a dispute, raising questions about the handling of complainants by the police.
Despite these issues, the organization noted some positive developments. Reports of excessive detention have decreased, and there has been some improvement in the handling of cases.
During the monitoring, CHIRDI engaged with 79 detainees across the Congo Cross, Aberdeen, and Lumley Police Stations. Of these, six females and nine males had already been formally charged.
