Following up with Sunday AYV TV  program with Samuel Wise Bangura who hosted the father of Boss LA, Ibrahim Bah (Mr.), Mr. Bah disclosed that he was yet to see or granted access to see his son Boss LA. With the Sierra Leone Bar Association press statement and the efforts people have been putting to see that Boss LA is free, lawyer Alfred Kamanda gives day 5 Update on Boss LA’s matter.

On his very own words, he said:

“Good evening fellow Sierra Leoneans. Boss LA is alive and doing fine! All other rumors are false, misleading and have disparaging effects.

Today, the 19th day of June 2022, the Sierra Leone Bar Association one of the oldest in sub Saharan Africa in a Press Statement entitled “The Arrest And Detention of Alhaji Amadu Bah (Alias Boss LA) stated in paragraph two of the said release that the action of the Sierra Leone police to shave off the dreadlocks of Boss LA amounts to degrading and serious mistreatments and in blatant violation of section 20(1) of the Sierra Leone Constitution Act No. 6 of 1991.

It went further to clearly state that the SOP quoted in the Police Press release is unconstitutional and contravenes all existing international human rights instruments assented to by Sierra Leone.
In addition, the release reads “the detainee in accordance with section 17(2) paragraph (a) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991 (LAJ) should have been allowed to access legal representation and communicate with his legal team confidentially.”

This area of the release made my day and we expect all peace loving Sierra Leoneans to condemn all acts of unconstitutionality and police high handedness/brutality in this post war nation:

“The Violator of the laws and values that we hold dear to our hearts ♥️and minds should certainly not be the Sierra Leone Police 👮‍♀️ that vowed to enforce the laws as enshrined in the constitution of Sierra Leone 1991”.

Finally the Sierra Leone Bar Association in its release recommended the following:

1. That the Independent Police Complaint Board conducts an immediate investigation into all the allegations of torture, cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment of Alhaji Amadu Bah and other detainees relating to his arrest;

2. That the Police Council suspends the operation of all SOPs in police custody facilities pending a thorough review of the said SOPs to ensure they are complaint with the provisions of the constitution of Sierra Leone, Act No. 6 of 1991 and International Instruments which guarantee, respect and protect Rights to humane treatment in detention;

3. That the retained Solicitors of Alhaji Amadu Bah, Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone and family members be granted an immediate and unconditional access to Alhaji Amadu Bah while in Police custody facility;

4. That Alhaji Amadu Bah MUST be brought before a Court of law within ten days from the date of his arrest, which is Sunday the 12th June 2022, pursuant to the provision of section 17(3) paragraph (a) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991.

The Release further recognizes the important role the Police play in maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property amongst many others. They should however not abuse their powers in the execution of their duties.

Pa Bah, we have made progress and soon you will see your son and chat with him once more.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Police brutality is not a new thing in Salone. I have seen this in action since the Pope was an alter boy and eve a girl! Regime after regime we have seen how the Police have trampled upon the rights of people. Let us all work to strengthening state institutions and allow them operate independently to aid their effectiveness and efficiency.

I will still recommend refresher training courses and they should be encouraged to engage in continuous professional and personal development at every stage of their promotions. This institution is as important to the development of Salone as the Judiciary. The two should be allowed to perform their functions independently. It’s a huge sacrifice to make but let’s give it a try.

We Should also not forget that there are a number of fine Police officers who are making the sacrifices day in and out to perform their functions in a professional, diligent, and respectful manner. To these ones we day troway salute and we are against any attempts to disrupt your independent operations by any individual. Police for be we paddy and not the other way round.”