By Hassan Solokoh Bockarie
The West Africa Network of Activists and Media Defense Lawyers (WANAMDEL) has strongly condemned the alleged assault of lawyer and journalist, Paul Kamara Esq., by police officers at the Adonkia Police Station in Freetown.
In a press statement issued on April 7, 2026, the regional network of press freedom and human rights lawyers described the incident as a serious violation of professional standards and the rule of law.
According to WANAMDEL, the incident occurred on April 4 when Kamara visited the Adonkia Police Station to follow up on investigations into the death of his colleague, Augustine Sensie Bangura. While at the station, Kamara reportedly interacted with officers at the Criminal Investigations Department before joining sympathisers gathered at the police compound to console the bereaved family.
The situation escalated when Kamara witnessed a confrontation between a police officer and a civilian. The statement noted that his attempt to calm the situation resulted in his being attacked by the officers.
WANAMDEL stated that Kamara “was physically assaulted, restrained, and pepper sprayed by another officer, despite identifying himself as a lawyer and journalist,” adding that the conduct of the officers raises serious concerns about respect for human rights and law enforcement standards.
The network further criticised the response Kamara received when he attempted to report the incident at the station.
It said upon approaching the Complaints Desk, he was met with “indifference and ridicule” by officers on duty and was only able to file a formal complaint after the intervention of concerned individuals who contacted the Local Unit Commander.
WANAMDEL has called for swift and decisive action, urging authorities to launch “an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation” into the matter, ensure accountability for all officers involved, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The organisation also reminded the Sierra Leone Police of its obligation to uphold the rights and dignity of citizens.
WANAMDEL is a network of 14 human rights lawyers established by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), providing legal support to journalists, activists, and media organisations across the region.
As of press time, there has been no official response from the Sierra Leone Police regarding the allegations.
