By Alpha Abu
The Councillor at the centre of Police investigations after suspected stolen public solar panels and accessories were discovered at his Lungi residence, could be sought through Interpol to possibly face charges, after it emerged he’s now in Cyprus.
Police Director of Crime Services Assistant Inspector General William Fayia Sellu told journalists during a briefing at the Police headquarters in Freetown that APC councillor Ibrahim Sankoh of Ward239 in Constituency 077 could be extradited to Sierra Leone following the discovery of 23 solar panels and five solar batteries in his Lungi house.
The officer said both Sierra Leone and Cyprus where Sankoh is believed to have reappeared, do share Interpol agreement and the Cypriot authorities could be asked to have the councillor brought back to the country.
AIG Sellu said the Police were now trying to collate fingerprint evidence after which they will address the matter with Interpol in Cyprus.
The solar equipment had mysteriously disappeared from the streets and other public places in Lungi with speculations rife at the time of being an act of systematic stealing of government property.
Local leaders in the area displeased over the vandalising and stealing of public utilities such as electricity cables, transformers and solar lights decided to embark on a well -publicised traditional rites of heaping curses on culprits. Soon after the event some three weeks ago, the Speaker of Kaffu Bulum Chiefdom Komrabi Kamara went to the Police station and reported that councillor Sankoh had approached the Paramount Chief on the 11th September 2021 to confess he had in his possession 23 solar lights and five batteries. The argument Sankoh had put forward was that he had removed the solar equipment to ‘’prevent them from being stolen’’.
Acting on this information, the Police went to Sankoh’s house but he was not in sight. The Police however produced a warrant that Sankoh’s close associate who was present consented to. They immediately entered the house where they discovered all 23 solar panels and 5 batteries. All the exhibits were removed and taken to the station. A statement summoning Sankoh to report to the Police was issued but it has since emerged the suspect has gone to Cyprus together with his wife.
In another matter the Police have revealed that the force’s Complaints Disciplinary Internal Investigations Department (CDIID) had since January this year recorded 572 cases of civilian complaints against Police and complaints between serving officers. 49 officers have been suspended, 50 ordered to undergo self- sponsored Corrective Training at the Police Training School and 2 reduced in rank. 6 officers were dismissed and 18 relieved of their duties through a disciplinary policy called Struck -Off Strength targeting officers who with no reasons given, failed to show up for work.
Copyright © Politico Online (06/10/21)
