By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as widespread over-detention, legal violations and procedural failures across police detention facilities in Freetown following an independent monitoring exercise conducted between April 28 and May 7, 2026.
According to empirical findings released by CHRDI on Friday, May 9, 2026, the organization monitored 15 police stations and posts across Freetown and assessed a total of 953 detainees to evaluate their legal status and demographic conditions. The report uncovered what the rights-based organization described as alarming levels of statutory non-compliance, prolonged pre-charge detention, inadequate access to legal representation and systemic failures within the juvenile justice system.
CHRDI noted that out of the 953 detainees monitored, 495, representing 52 percent, were allegedly being held beyond statutory legal detention limits, while 458 detainees were reported to have been held within lawful timeframes.
The report identified the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) as the facility with the highest number of over-detained suspects, recording 144 individuals allegedly held beyond legal limits compared to only 12 held within lawful detention periods. Other police facilities with high levels of over-detention included Lumley Police Station with 45 cases, Aberdeen Police Station with 38 and Kissy Barracks Police Station with 36. However, Kissy Shell Police Station was highlighted as the only facility that recorded zero cases of over-detention during the monitoring period.
Speaking on the findings, CHRDI Chief Executive, Abdul M. Fatoma, described the situation as deeply troubling and warned that the findings expose a justice system facing serious institutional strain.
“Every individual entering our justice system is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Yet these findings reveal a deeply alarming reality, hundreds of people are languishing in detention without access to legal representation or due process,” Abdul Fatoma stated.
He further stressed that the issues highlighted in the report represent more than mere administrative lapses, describing them instead as systemic failures capable of undermining the rule of law and eroding public confidence in state institutions.
“When detainees are held beyond legal limits, when children are placed in adult cells and when suspects remain uncharged for weeks or months, the integrity of our entire justice system is called into question,” he added.
Abdul Fatoma called for immediate and decisive intervention by authorities to restore legal compliance, protect detainees’ rights and strengthen accountability mechanisms throughout the justice sector.
CHRDI also raised alarm over what it described as a severe access-to-justice crisis within police detention facilities. Findings from the monitoring exercise revealed that more than 900 detainees reportedly lacked access to legal representation, exposing many to risks including arbitrary detention, coerced statements and prolonged confinement without due legal support.
The report singled out the CID as having one of the highest legal representation gaps, with at least 140 detainees reportedly isolated without access to legal counsel. Smaller facilities, including Adelaide Street and Kissy Shell Police Stations, were also cited for recording detainees without legal representation.
On case processing, the organization reported low rates of judicial movement across facilities, noting that only 42 detainees had been released on bail, while 55 had been formally charged to court during the monitoring period. Several facilities, including Ross Road, Kissy Shell and Adelaide Street Police Stations, reportedly recorded zero court charges. Likewise, Kissy Barracks, PWD Kissy, Texaco and Kissy Old Road Police Stations reportedly recorded no bail releases.
Demographic findings in the report indicated that young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 constituted the majority of detainees. Ross Road Police Station reportedly recorded the highest concentration of detainees within that age bracket at 123, followed by the CID with 91. Gender statistics revealed that males accounted for 93 percent of detainees, while females represented seven percent.
Particularly concerning were findings relating to juvenile justice practices. CHRDI disclosed that minors under the age of 18 were allegedly found detained in adult cells across 11 of the 15 monitored facilities, a situation the organization described as a direct violation of juvenile justice laws and child protection standards.
Kissy Barracks reportedly recorded the highest number of minors in adult detention cells with 13 cases, followed by Calaba Town Police Station with seven cases. Eastern Police Posts collectively documented seven similar cases.
The report further documented a number of procedural failures within detention facilities. At Central Police Station, CHRDI reported that a suspect had allegedly been detained for four days without bail or formal charge over an alleged civil debt involving Le365. At Ross Road Police Station, three murder suspects reportedly remained in detention despite having already been formally charged, including a father and son allegedly held for 29 days and another suspect detained for 25 days as of May 7.
CHRDI also cited a sexual penetration suspect reportedly held for 46 days while awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions due to a lack of an approved surety. Additionally, a cross-border case at the CID reportedly involved a suspect detained for 76 days due to delays linked to Guinean authorities, INTERPOL and Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
CHRDI concluded by warning that Sierra Leone’s justice system faces mounting pressure and urged the Sierra Leone Police, judiciary, legal aid institutions and Government stakeholders to implement urgent reforms aimed at addressing over-detention, improving access to legal representation, protecting detainees’ rights and restoring public trust in the justice system.
The monitoring exercise forms part of CHRDI’s broader advocacy efforts to promote accountability, justice sector reforms and the protection of fundamental human rights in Sierra Leone.
