Martin Kpebu, Samson Lardy Lead Regional Group To Demand Probe Into Assault On Lawyer By Sierra Leone Police
Ghanaian lawyers have joined a coalition of top human rights and media defence lawyers from across West Africa to strongly condemn the assault on Sierra Leonean legal practitioner Paul Kamara in a case that is sparking widespread concern over the safety of lawyers and the rule of law in the region.
The condemnation was issued by the West Africa Network of Activists and Media Defence Lawyers (WANAMDEL), a 14-member regional body comprising prominent legal figures from Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, The Gambia, Liberia, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Guinea-Bissau.
Notable Ghanaian members including Martin Kpebu, Samson Lardy-Anyenini, and Zakaria Tanko-Musah have been at the forefront of calls for accountability, joined by regional counterparts such as Gloria Mabeiam Ballason and Mojirayo Ogunlana (Nigeria), Moussa Sarr (Senegal), Neneh M.C. Cham (The Gambia), Sarnyenneh M. Dickson (Liberia), Houssou Brice (Benin), Thérèse Donu (Togo), Dogbemin Kone (Côte d’Ivoire), Augusto Mário da Silva (Guinea-Bissau), and Salifou Béavogui (Guinea).
According to WANAMDEL, the incident occurred on April 4, 2026, at the Adonkia Police Station in Freetown. Paul Kamara had visited the station to follow up on investigations into the death of fellow lawyer Augustine Sensie Bangura.
During his visit, Kamara reportedly attempted to de-escalate a confrontation between a police officer and a civilian. Instead, he was allegedly physically assaulted, restrained, and pepper-sprayed by police officers, despite identifying himself as both a lawyer and a journalist.
The incident has triggered unified condemnation across West Africa’s legal community, with lawyers warning that such actions represent a dangerous erosion of legal protections and professional respect for officers of the court.
Ghanaian lawyers, backed by their regional colleagues, described the incident as a blatant abuse of power and a violation of fundamental human rights, insisting that law enforcement agencies must be held to the highest standards of accountability.
WANAMDEL also criticised the treatment Kamara received when he attempted to file a formal complaint, alleging he was met with indifference and ridicule at the station’s Complaints Desk.
It took the intervention of concerned individuals and the involvement of a local police commander before he was eventually allowed to file the complaint.
The network is demanding an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation, as well as sanctions against all officers involved.
“The Sierra Leone Police must uphold their duty to protect the rights and dignity of all persons,” the group emphasised.
WANAMDEL, established by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), plays a critical role in defending journalists, activists and media organisations across the region.
The collective stance by Ghanaian and other West African lawyers underscores growing fears that unchecked misconduct by security agencies could undermine democratic governance, weaken judicial systems, and erode public trust across the sub-region.
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
