Law Enforcement Under Scrutiny: Police Officers Charged with Armed Robbery at Rokel Village

Three police personnel stand charged with robbing civilians, exposing a disturbing breach of trust at the heart of Sierra Leone’s law enforcement.

The three police officers, James Turner, Foday Samking, and Mohammed Siao Kamara—made their second appearance before Magistrate Mustapha Briama Jah at Pademba Road Court No.1. They are accused of involvement in multiple robberies at Rokel Village, including theft of money and iPhones.

The officers face eight charges related to conspiracy, armed robbery, wounding, and assault, all contrary to sections of the Larceny Act 1916 (as amended by the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act 2021) and the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

According to the charge sheet, between July 30 and August 2, 2025, the accused allegedly conspired at Fengray Street, Rokel Village, to commit robbery with aggravation. On August 2, at the same location, they are accused of robbing Sahr Koroma and Hawa Komba of twenty thousand Leones, an iPhone Pro Max, and two power banks, valued at nearly twenty-nine thousand Leones.

The charge further states that the accused maliciously wounded and assaulted Bundu Ngegba, Sento Conteh, Hawa Komba, and Sahr Koroma, causing them bodily harm. Additionally, the third accused, Mohamed Siao Kamara, allegedly commanded accomplices—Yaraba Kamara, Sylvanus Josiah, Abu Bonborlai Conteh, James Turner, and Foday Samking—to commit the robbery.

During proceedings, Inspector Fashila Johnson identified all three accused as police personnel attached to Ross Road Police Station. She recounted that between July 30 and August 2, 2025, she noted a social media post implicating the officers in armed robbery.

On August 4, 2025, Inspector Johnson said she was summoned by the head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Assistant Commissioner of Police Jalloh. She testified that during her visit, she received details about the crimes committed by the accused, who were under his supervision. She reported to the court that she had also informed Commissioner Jalloh of the officers' misconduct, including their involvement in illegal operations and extortion.

Inspector Johnson added that investigations revealed the accused admitted to their involvement, leading to their dismissal from the police force and subsequent court charges. She concluded her testimony by stating that she had also given a statement to the police.

The defense counsel, Chernor Kamara, cross-examined the witness. The court denied bail for the accused, and the case was adjourned to September 4, 2025, for further proceedings.