<\/p>\n
By David K. Fengai<\/p>\n
The tragic unraveling of a bright legal career has shaken Sierra Leone\u2019s legal and political communities. Alusine Yankay Kargbo Esq., a 41-year-old human rights lawyer and rising star within the All People\u2019s Congress (APC) party, has become the latest victim of a political and judicial storm following the events of November 26, 2023\u2014the day when militants launched coordinated attacks across multiple locations in Freetown, prompting a nationwide lockdown and a high-profile manhunt.<\/p>\n
Residing at 12 Southridge, Hill Station, Lawyer Kargbo was not only a seasoned legal mind but a fierce defender of justice, especially for those silenced by poverty or politics. He gained public admiration for offering pro bono legal services, representing individuals who otherwise would have no voice in courtrooms across the nation. His bold involvement in politically charged and sensitive cases distinguished him as a beacon of hope for legal equity in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n
Kargbo\u2019s courage came into sharp focus during the State v. Major Patrick Abu Ordende Sesay alias Pao & Others, a legal battle tied to the infamous coup attempt. But it was his decision to represent Major Foday Sumana Kamara, a soldier in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and one of the accused in the coup case, that marked a dangerous turning point in his career. Initially denied legal representation, Major Kamara\u2019s case highlighted the vulnerabilities of accused persons and the uphill battle for fair trial rights in Sierra Leone\u2019s fragile justice system.<\/p>\n
By taking on Kamara\u2019s defense, Kargbo not only confronted systemic flaws in the legal process but also challenged powerful interests. The state\u2019s response was brutal. He became a target\u2014harassed, physically assaulted, and violently intimidated. His home was set ablaze in what appeared to be a deliberate act of retaliation, leaving him with no option but to flee. His wife and children had already escaped the country amid escalating threats after the February 12, 2025 verdict that sentenced Major Kamara to 60 years imprisonment on charges including mutiny and desertion<\/p>\n
This marks more than the fall of a lawyer\u2014it marks the erosion of justice itself. Kargbo’s forced departure is a devastating symbol of the dangers lawyers face in politically sensitive cases in Sierra Leone, where representing the “wrong” person can mean the end of one’s career, freedom, and safety. His story reflects a broader crisis of **human rights violations, judicial intimidation, and the suppression of dissenting voices.<\/p>\n
The destruction of Alusine Yankay Kargbo\u2019s promising career is not just a personal tragedy\u2014it is a national shame. It exposes the urgent need for institutional reform, protection for legal professionals, and a reaffirmation of the rule of law in Sierra Leone. His absence leaves a void in a legal system already grappling with mistrust and politicization. The legal community, civil society, and international partners must speak up and act before more voices like his are silenced forever.<\/p>\n
However, as this movement gained momentum, so did the government crackdown on dissent. Lawyer Alusine received treats and was forced to go into hiding after a raid on his house, and later on the 12th of February, his house was burnt down, in the death of a night, and Alusine made the heart – wrenching decision to his home land country and travelled through treacherous paths facings numerous challenges along the way.
\nNo one knows his whereabout.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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