Since its establishment in 2013 to date, there have been four cases of police custody deaths reported to the Independent Police Complaint Board (IPCB). The first incident occurred in Wellington. Findings of the investigation were presented to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) but not made public.
The second occasion was in Tombo. Findings from this investigation were presented to the Inspector General of Police to execute disciplinary action. Again, the findings were not made public. The third custodial death complaint was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Recently, two suspects at Kamalo died in police custody and the circumstances’ surrounding their deaths is being investigated.
The IPCB Communications Officer, Amadu Femoh Sesay, explained the focus of every investigation is to determine the role and conduct of personnel of the Sierra Leone Police in handling a particular matter, based on the evidence available and submit a written report with findings and recommendations to the relevant authorities as per the IPCB 2013 regulations.
Ishmael Bayoh, of the Human Rights Commission, said custodial deaths are deaths that occur while in the custody of the police, prison service, or other authorities. “When the state takes away a person’s liberty, it assumes full responsibility for protecting their human rights. The most fundamental of these is the right to life. We can say that the custodial authorities are often accused of abuse, cover-ups, or neglect.”
Bayoh added, “Besides people who are serving whole-life sentences, many others die in custody. These custodial deaths maybe caused by natural causes or diseases, attacks by other prisoners, self-inflicted or third-degree torture while in remand. Many of those people who die in custody are held on remand in either police custody or prison for doubts of unlawful acts, and are convicted of no criminal offence. These are serious violations of human rights as every individual has the right to life, which is protected by the State.”
IPCB Communications Officer, Sesay, added, “One of our recommendations to the DPP was the need to institute a coroner’s court. In the end, a lot of evidence was missing. As we speak they have not implemented that part of the recommendation.”
There is a need for a coroner’s office to provide death investigation services. Presently, coronial services are performed by a consultant Forensic Pathologist and other government officials appointed on an ad hoc basis.
The IPCB Chair, Valentine T. Collier emphasized the Coroner’s office should be a standard office. He added that the office should have staff and they should not be appointed on ad hoc basis.
Since 2013, the IPCB has received 153 complaints from members of the public, all of which were reviewed by the complaints handling committee of the Board. 101 complaints were assigned for investigation by the IPCB. Six complaints are held over because of judicial proceedings; while 18 were referred the Criminal Investigation Department. Two complaints were referred to the Anti Corruption Commission; while 14 referred to the Ombudsman. One case has been referred to the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and 7 complainants have been withdrawn.
Consultant Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma, has also strongly recommended that there is a need to establish the office of the coroner to provide leadership and coordination of coronial services.
OG/18/6/18
By Ophaniel Gooding
Tuesday June 19, 2018.
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