By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Law Officers’ Department of the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has formally requested evidence from the Sierra Leone Police Inspector-General after disparaging remarks surfaced on social media.
In a video that circulated online, the Inspector-General was heard making condescending comments towards lawyers within the Law Officers’ Department, referring to them as “Small Small infant lawyers” who “can be compromised.” Furthermore, he accused the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of not personally reviewing files from the Police but instead delegating them to junior lawyers.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Osman I. Kanu, expressed “strongest dismay and disappointment” in a letter addressed to the Inspector-General. The Law Officers’ Department has condemned these statements as “unprofessional, offensive, and demeaning,” emphasizing that such utterances are unacceptable from someone in charge of the country’s internal security.
The letter insists that public statements, especially concerning public officials or institutions, ought to be factual and verified before being made public. In response to the gravity of the accusations, the Law Officers’ Department has requested the Inspector-General to provide specific details supporting his claims:
1. Names of the lawyers alleged to be susceptible to corruption.
2. Files reportedly ignored by the DPP.
3. A record of drug-related cases forwarded to the Law Office since the beginning of the year.
The request for this information comes with a deadline, urging a response by the 25th of March, 2024. The situation has caught the attention of various stakeholders, including the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice and others, all of whom were copied in the letter seeking clarification and evidence from the Inspector-General.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion on the integrity and professionalism within Sierra Leone’s justice system, highlighting the need for respectful collaboration between different branches of law enforcement and the legal community.
The Law Officers’ Department awaits the Inspector-General’s response, with the expectation that it will shed light on the accusations and contribute to upholding the esteem of Sierra Leone’s legal institutions.
