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Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) released a report highlighting serious issues of over detention and torture in police stations in Freetown during a recent monitoring visit.
On Monday, 19th May, 2025, the Human Rights Monitoring team of CHRDI visited Lumley, Aberdeen, and Congo Cross police stations, where they reportedly spoke with 73 suspects in custody.
The report reveals that while there were improvements in detention practices at Congo Cross, significant violations were observed elsewhere. At Aberdeen, three individuals were found to be held without due process, and at Lumley, 18 detainees were reported as over-detained.
CHRDI further confirmed that they received disturbing allegations of torture involving four individuals, who claimed to have been abused by military officers in connection with theft accusations.
An older woman, according to the report, was also arrested by an army officer and later handed over to police regarding a land dispute; she was released after CHRDI intervened.
In response to the torture allegations, CHRDI raised the issue with the Chief of Defence Staff, who reportedly initiated an investigation at the Lumley police station, assuring that appropriate action would follow.
Sierra Leone is still not safe because of some of these things! The police in this country are using ultravires powers over the civilian citizens
Torturing people in custody is really bad