AYV News, December 15, 2025
The Legal Aid Board (LAB) has secured the release of one Alimamy Fofonah, arraigned on a murder charge, from a Freetown High Court presided over by Honourable Justice Leonard Taylor.
The beneficiary, a ‘former’ Closed Protection Officer of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) attached to the Lebanese President in Sierra Leone, was freed by the court on Thursday, 4thDecember 2025, for want of prosecution.
His release came barely two-years and four months after making his first appearance at the Magistrate Court in Freetown.
Prior to his release by the court, Alimamy was battling a one-count charge of murder. He was accused of the shooting to death one of his errand boys somewhere around Jui, in the outskirts of Freetown.
Explaining his ordeal, Alimamy claimed the incident was never intentional but was as a result of an attempted robbery on him by some gangs. He said as the fisticuff ensued between him and the robbers, his pistol “accidentally discharged.” Asked whether he has been receiving salary from SLP, he responded in the negative, adding that the last time he received was sometimes in January 2024.
He thanked the Board for having stood by his side during these difficult times, noting that he was happy to go back home and reunite with his family at Masiaka. He expressed willingness to rejoin the force, noting that as far as he is concern he has not received any dismissal notice from the SLP.
In her usual post-discharge briefing with beneficiaries, the Executive Director of the Board, Ms Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, hailed his release, adding that it signposts a new chapter in her life.
She admonished the beneficiary to go back home and take proper care of his health, adding that the Board will look into his issue of rejoining the police.
Ms Carlton-Hanciles seized the moment to appeal to the general public to remain law abiding especially now that the festive period is approaching.
She assured the public of the Board’s continued commitment in fulfilling its mandate. Alimamy was represented by Counsel Morrison Karimu.
In another related development, the Board’s resident lawyers for Kenema; Kono and Port Loko districts, have on separate court sittings during the Special Criminal High Court Session held in Kenema, Kailahun, Kono and Kambia over the past three weeks, secured the discharge of nineteen (19) accused persons.
Of the nineteen, eleven were freed in Kono; three were freed in Kambia; four in Kenema and one in Kailahun.
The beneficiaries were represented by Counsel Patrick Kamara for Kenema and Kailahun, Counsel Alpha O. Kamara for Kono and Counsel Mohamed Korie for Kambia.
