The West Africa Network of Activists and Media Defense Lawyers and a coalition of human rights lawyers have condemned a attack on a legal practitioner, Paul Kamara  by Sierra Leonean police officers. 

In a joint statement on Thursday, the group said Mr Kamara was assault on April 4, 2026 at the Adonkia Police Station in Freetown town where he went to follow up on probe into the death of his colleague, Augustine Sensie Bangura. 

The statement was signed by Augusto Mário da Silva (Guiné-Bissau), Dogbemin Kone (Côte d’Ivoire), Gloria Mabeiam Ballason (Nigeria), Houssou Brice (Benin), Martin Kpebu, (Ghana), Mojirayo Oluwatoyin Ogunlana (Nigeria), and Moussa Sarr, (Senegal). 

Others are: Neneh M.C Cham (Gambia), Paul Kamara (Sierra Leone), Salifou Béavogui (Guinea), Samson Lardy-Anyenini, (Ghana), Sarnyenneh M. Dickson (Liberia) Thérèse DONU, (Togo) and Zakaria Tanko-Musah (Ghana).

Th group noted that Mr Kamara after allegedlty engaging officers at the station’s Criminal Investigations Department and joining sympathisers on the police station premises to console the bereaved family, he witnessed a confrontation between a police officer and a member of the public.

“In an attempt to de-escalate tensions between the parties, Kamara was instead met with aggression by the police officer. 

“He was physically assaulted, restrained, and pepper sprayed by another officer, despite identifying himself as a lawyer and journalist,” it said. 

The group expressed concern over the conduct of the police officers, explaining that such “actions, including intimidation, assault, and the use of force,” demonstrates a disregard for the rule of law and police professional standards.

“We further condemn the treatment Kamara received when he attempted to file a complaint at the Complaints Desk of the station following his assault. Upon reaching the Complaints Desk, he was met with indifference and ridicule by the officers on duty. It was only after the intervention of concerned individuals, who contacted the Local Unit Commander, that he was permitted to lodge a complaint,” the group added. 

It called for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation into the attack on Mr Kamara, sanctioning of officers involved, and adoption of concrete measures to prevent recurrence. 

The group, however, advised the police in Sierra Leone to always uphold their duty to protect the rights and dignity of individuals.