By Alpha Abu
Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Amadu Mannah has said that the arrest and detention of Member of Parliament Emmanuel Saidu Conteh over alleged unlawful possession of firearms among others has got nothing to do with politics.
The officer made the statement during a press conference in Freetown on Tuesday 6 July 2021 summoned by the Police leadership to address a number of issues being addressed by the Force.
The All Peoples Congress (APC) party MP who represents Constituency 129 in Freetown, and three other men Naby Unisa Bangura, Sheriff Jalloh, and Michael Alpha Fornah all residents of Freetown were arrested on Friday 2 July 2021 and, are in Police custody following the discovery by Customs officers of seven pistols inside one of the vehicles in a sea cargo container from the United States that arrived at the Freetown Queen Elizabeth 11 Quay in Freetown recently.
The Police officers present at the briefing were somehow cagey in giving details, stating that the matter is still being investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Police.
Mannah said they are using all leads to establish the origins of the pistols and that Interpol in the United States have been contacted so they would help provide the Police here with all relevant information pertaining to the arms.
He said they have given the serial numbers of the guns and other necessary information to Interpol so that those who were directly connected with the shipment of the arms would be required to come to Sierra Leone and explain themselves.
According to the Police, the four suspects are being held for various charges including conspiracy, and unlawful possession of firearms. Under the laws of Sierra Leone, it is an offence to carry an unlicensed firearm.
Copyright © 07/07/21 Politico Online
