Fact-checkers Comments
The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr was invited to the Criminal Investigations Department on the eve of Thursday 13th October 2022, profile and later released to appear in court on Friday 14th October 2022. She appeared at the Lungi Magistrate Court, charged with the following Count 1 – Obstruction of Police Duty contrary to section 39 of the Police Act and Count 2 Disorderly behavior. The matter was transferred to Freetown and adjourned to the 21st October 2022.
By Ophaniel Gooding
On Thursday 13th October, the Managing Editor of the New Age newspaper, Thomas Dixon posted on his Facebook page, “Mayor of Freetown @yakisawyerr is at Police and has been charged to court for obstructing police activity. “I am in total shock. I am about to be “profiled” and then they are deciding whether to detain me. I am in total shock!” she told me.”
The Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki Sawyer was profiled at the Criminal Investigations Department on the allegations of obstructing police and disorderly behaviour, according to the Police Spokesperson Brima Kamara.
Mayor Aki-Sawyer was later released on bail to prepare for a court appearance at Lungi magistrate court the following day.
The Director of Communications at the Sierra Leone Law Court, Elkass Sannoh said he is not aware at the time the Truth Team contacted him as to whether the mayor would appear in court on Friday. “The police will have to conclude their investigations and then charge the matter to court so far, I’m not knowledgeable whether the police have made that presentation to the court “, he said.
According to Sierra Eye report, Mayor of Freetown appeared before Magistrate Shaka Kamara at Lungi Magistrate Court on Friday 14th October 2022. “She was charged with two counts. Count 1 – Obstruction of Police Duty contrary to section 39 of the Police Act and Count 2 Disorderly behaviour. No witness for the prosecution was present today. The Magistrate at Lungi Shaka Kamara granted bail. Case transferred to court in Freetown. Bail granted in her own recognisance NLe: 100,000/00. Evidence of national ID, Passport to be submitted. Matter adjourned to the 21st October.”
On her Facebook page, Mayor of Freetown Aki Sawyer wrote “the joy of the Lord is my strength” posing in front of the Spirit of Freetown ferry, one of the boats that ferry passengers from Freetown to Lungi.
It will be recalled that on the 29th September 2022 -the Criminal Investigation Department of the Sierra Leone Police invited the Mayor of Freetown City Council, Yvonne Aki Sawyer for questioning on an alleged case of obstruction and disorderly conduct. It was stated in the invitation that she must visit the CID headquarters at 10:00 am on Friday, September 30, 2022. The Invitation was signed by Sargent Dumbuya attached to CID.