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The Lawyers’ Society has condemned the arrest and detention of civil society activists Thomas Babadi and Wadi Williams, who were taken into custody ahead of a planned protest outside the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) offices.
In a strongly worded statement, the Society criticized the actions of law enforcement as a violation of the constitutional rights to freedom of assembly and expression, guaranteed under Sections 25(1) and 26(1) of Sierra Leone’s Constitution (Act No. 6 of 1991).
Babadi and Williams had reportedly informed the police of their intention to hold a peaceful demonstration, fulfilling the legal requirement to notify authorities. Despite this, they were arrested, a move the Lawyers’ Society described as “arbitrary and unlawful.”
“While the police are tasked with safeguarding life and property, this responsibility does not extend to suppressing lawful protests,” the Society stated. They added that such actions risk undermining democratic principles and could push citizens towards illegitimate methods of expressing dissent.
The group also criticized the police’s frequent use of the “faceless leaders” excuse to deny protests, noting that in this case, the organizers were clearly identified. The arrests, they said, undermine public trust and create the perception that authorities are systematically stifling civic expression.
The Lawyers’ Society has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Babadi and Williams, warning that failure to comply may lead to legal action to secure their freedom. They urged authorities to uphold citizens’ constitutional rights and foster dialogue instead of repression.
The arrests have sparked broader concerns about shrinking civic space in Sierra Leone, with activists warning that excessive restrictions on peaceful protests threaten the country’s democratic fabric.
“The health of our democracy depends on the protection of civil liberties and the promotion of open discourse,” the Society emphasized.
When there is injustices in a nation, this what happened both, the law makers are afraid of their citizens not to attack them for their right while the people also are uncomfortable with the way they are misled by the authorities which can cause alot of indifference in the society
Oh! Salone Lawyers
These are the misguided apc faction lawyers, their seriousness is doubtful , did the apc ever encouraged such poppycock that the babadi and his cohoot purported to do , can these so called reckless activists quote us an instance in history were disaggregated results were called by their Electoral commissioners ? Their act is a mere ploy to subvert the state security.
Really