MOD/RSLAF KEY MESSAGE ON THE OUTCOME OF THE INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN PATRICK KAMARA FROM THE MILITARY CUSTODIAL CENTRE AT WILBERFORCE BARRACKS IN FREETOWN.

1. MoD/RSLAF would like to remind the public that in the early hours of Tuesday, 21 May, 2019 Captain Patrick Kamara, who was being tried in Court Martial along with two others for various offences relating to missing ammunition, escaped from the Military Custodial Centre at Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown.

2. Subsequently, eight military personnel were arrested and investigated by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for the offence of “negligently permitting the alleged escape of a prisoner”.

3. The eight military personnel included Major TH Sandy (SL 1068), Major SN Luseni (SL 1172), RSLAF 18165090 Staff Sergeant William Kamara, RSLAF 18169779 Sergeant Tucker, RSLAF 18180047 Sergeant Sidia Turay, RSLAF 18182089 Lance Corporal Tamba Tengbeh, RSLAF 18182699 Lance Corporal Amara Kargbo and RSLAF 18182688 Lance Corporal Ishmail Simbo.

4. Following the investigations, the CID found seven military personnel liable for the offence except RSLAF 18169779 Sergeant Tucker, who was exonerated for lack of evidence.

5. In a report dated 12 June, 2019 and addressed to the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice, the CID stated that while RSLAF 18180047 Sergeant Sidia Turay “facilitated the escape of Captain Kamara”, Major TH Sandy (SL 1068) and Major SN Luseni (SL 1172) “contributed, in a large measure, to the alleged escape of Captain Kamara by failing to ensure the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) at the Custodial Centre was strictly adhered to”.

6. Hence, in a legal advice dated 2 July 2019, the DPP directed the RSLAF authorities to institute disciplinary actions against the military personnel in line with the RSLAF Regulations and Code of Conduct.

7. Accordingly, an administrative action was instituted in accordance with the RSLAF Misconduct Policy and appropriate disciplinary actions were taken against all the seven military personnel as follows:

      a. Major TH Sandy (SL 1068) – recommended for compulsory retirement subject to Defence
         Council approval.
      b. Major SN Luseni (SL 1172) – awarded two-year forfeiture of seniority and posted
         out of JPU.
      c. RSLAF 18165090 Staff Sergeant William Kamara – demoted to the rank of Corporal and posted
         out of JPU.
      d. RSLAF 18180047 Sergeant Sidia Turay – compulsorily discharged.
      e. RSLAF 18182699 Lance Corporal Amara Kargbo – awarded twenty-eight days imprisonment
         with hard labour and posted out of JPU.
      f. RSLAF 18182688 Lance Corporal Ishmail Simbo – awarded twenty-eight days imprisonment
         with hard labour and posted out of JPU.
      g. RSLAF 18182089 Lance Corporal Tamba Tengbeh – exonerated for lack of evidence.

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Furthermore, for any media query, please contact the following:

1. Group Captain John Gbondo
Director, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 76 750 557

2. lieutenant Colonel Ibrahim Bangura
Staff Officer Grade 1, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 78 252 625

3. Major Yayah Brima
Staff Officer Grade 2, Defence Public Relations and Information
Phone/WhatsApp: +232 78 452 876