By Alpha Abu
Assistant Commissioner of Police Brima Kamara has told journalists at a briefing that the demolition of structures on Wednesday 29th September 2021 in an area not far from the US Embassy at Southridge, IMMAT was not carried out by the police as stated by some media houses and the public.
At the George Street Freetown Police headquarters, the officer said the Police only provided security for court officials to execute the work entrusted to them by the judiciary. The demolition of mostly corrugated iron sheet dwellings has reportedly displaced hundreds of people.
Kamara who heads the Police Media pointed out that they have always acted as security cover for officials of the judiciary when they go out to execute the order of the Under Sheriff. He explained the other role of the Inspector General of Police as per law is Sheriff of the High Court but that it is from the Under Sheriff’s direct orders bailiffs conduct demolition exercises to take lawful possession of property.
He said the Police have always acted in such circumstances in line with the 1964 Act, section 7 which clearly authorises the force to maintain law and order and protect life and property.
The Police Commander of the Western Region, Commissioner Victor Manfred Williams buttressed Kamara’s statement by also disclosing the arrest of a soldier who showed up at the scene and wanted to disrupt the demolition exercise. He said it was part of ongoing possession exercises being executed by the courts and the Police personnel have only a security mandate to implement.
Ten people were reportedly arrested and a man named Abdulai Bah was said to have sustained a deep laceration in the arm in the wake of the incident and the ensuing sporadic acts of violence. The Police could not provide the names of the persons on whose behalf the bailiffs went into action.
Copyright © Politico Online (01/10/21)
