Police threaten Journalist
Police personnel attached at the Rokel Police post in the east outskirts of Freetown have effected arrest on Saturday July 21st following a raid at Yams Farm where a suspect, Yusuf Malcom Khan was arrested with a 101 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be marijuana.
Credible sources disclosed that ever since the suspect was taken to the police station with this serious offence, he was placed in an open detention cell. The same source added that the said suspect was given VIP treatment on the alleged orders of the officer in command of the Rokel Police post, ASP Saidu Turay.
Reports say ASP Turay demanded the sum of Le 500.000 from family of the suspect to order his release from custody.
When this reporter got a tip off and contacted O/C Turay, he reacted with fury, and slammed “it was none of his business”- referring to our reporter.
It is further alleged that the O/C is boasting to have had the blessing of his boss the IGP and the Executive Management Board (EMB).
The aggrieved O/C Turay then ordered his police personnel to book in their Diary that this reporter visited the post and obstructed their work.
“I then put it to ASP Turay that if I had obstructed their work he should have ordered my arrest because I am not above the law, but he refused. I promised I will inform the appropriate authorities through my newspaper about this high level of corruption that is taking place at Rokel Police Post, for which urgent action should be taken to save the image of the police,” our reporter stated.
It could be recalled that a fortnight ago, the AIG of police AL Sheik Kamara pleaded with journalists to expose corrupt police officers and do so by crosschecking their stories before going to press. This does not work well with ASP Saidu Turay who eventually reacted at just an attempt to crosscheck a simple story.
During our argument ASP Bandabla materialized into the station and backed ASP Saidu Turay that there is nothing wrong for the suspect to be in open detention even though there is an exhibit of 101 parcels of Diamba.
When this reporter made further enquiry from an LUC who preferred anonymity, he said such a suspect underlining that there is no need for him to be put under open detention.
“He must have received money for him to do that adding that such an officer is a bad officer” said the LUC.
This reporter will be readily available if the EMB needs any further clarification as this is a last case for the police to show if they are serious to discipline corrupt police personnel.
Although it not confirmed at the moment, police sources intimated that the suspect has been released. It is also disappointing that ASP Saidu, Turay cannot speak good English and one wonders how he became an ASP …
The likes of ASP Saidu Turay, are a complete disgrace to the SLP and these are the officers that should be weeded out of the SLP.
By Alphozo Cham
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2012, https:. All rights reserved.
