By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, Sierra Leone – August 28, 2025: Three police officers attached to the Ross Road Police Station were remanded on Thursday by Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah of Pademba Road Court No.1 for their alleged involvement in a series of robberies in Rokel Village in Freetown.
The three police officer accused of robbery are James Turner, Foday Samking, and Mohammed Saio Kamara.
The accused were arraigned on eight counts, including conspiracy, robbery with aggravation, wounding, and assault. These charges are in violation of Section 23(1)(a) of the Larceny Act 1916, as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021 (Act No.6), and Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.
According to the charge sheet, between 30 July and 2 August 2025, the officers conspired to commit robbery at Fengray Street, Rokel Village. On 2 August, they allegedly robbed victims Sahr Koroma and Hawa Komba of twenty thousand new Leones, an iPhone Pro Max, and two power banks—items valued at a total of twenty-eight thousand nine hundred new Leones.
The prosecution further alleged that the officers maliciously wounded and assaulted Bundu Ngegba, Sento Conteh, Hawa Komba, and Sahr Koroma, causing actual bodily harm. Additionally, Mohammed Saio Kamara is accused of commanding others, including the co-accused, to carry out the robbery.
Testifying in court, Inspector Fashila Johnson identified all three accused as serving officers and recounted how she became aware of the incident through a social media post on 2 August. She stated that on 4 August, she was summoned by Assistant Commissioner of Police Jalloh, head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), who briefed her on the allegations.
Inspector Johnson revealed that James Turner had previously been involved in misconduct, including unauthorized operations during which money was extorted from civilians. She confirmed that the matter was transferred to CID Headquarters for investigation, during which the accused reportedly confessed to the crimes. They were subsequently dismissed from the Sierra Leone Police Force and charged to court.
Defense counsel Chernor Kamara cross-examined the witness. Bail was denied, and the case was adjourned to 4 September 2025 for continuation.