Police Officers Remanded Over Alleged Armed Robbery
By Kadiatu Samura
Three police officers attached to the Ross Road Police Station are facing serious criminal charges after being accused of carrying out an unlawful operation that allegedly involved aggravated robbery and assault.
On Thursday, 28 August 2025, Magistrate Mustapha Brima Jah of Pademba Road Magistrate Court No.1 ordered the remand of James Turner, Foday Samking, and Mohamed Saio Kamara. The officers are jointly charged on eight counts, including robbery with aggravation under the Larceny Act of 1916 and assault under the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861.
According to court documents, between 30 July and 2 August 2025, the accused allegedly conspired with unknown persons to stage a robbery at Fengray Street, Old Road, Rokel Village. On 2 August, they reportedly robbed Sahr Koroma and Hawa Komba of Le 20,000, an iPhone Pro Max, a home phone, and two power banks, altogether valued at Le 28,900. The charge sheet also states that four individuals were assaulted and maliciously wounded during the incident.
One of the accused, Mohamed Saio Kamara, is further alleged to have directed the others to commit the crime.
Detective Inspector Fashila Johnson, testifying as a prosecution witness, told the court that she linked the accused to the crime after seeing a social media post indicating that the first accused had left behind his police ID, national ID, and checkbook at the crime scene. She added that she had previously warned her superiors about the first and second accused, alleging they routinely engaged in unlawful operations disguised as police duties, extorting large sums of money from civilians.
Johnson further testified that the first accused had earlier confessed to similar acts and was at one point instructed to report to Lumley Police Station before being transferred to the Mountain Division.
Under cross-examination by defense counsel C. Kamara, Johnson admitted she was not present during the robbery but insisted she had repeatedly raised concerns about the accused officers’ misconduct.
Magistrate Brima Jah refused bail and ordered the continued remand of all three officers. The matter has been adjourned to 4 September 2025.
