Source: Concord Times via Allafrica.com
Personnel of the Kailahun police station are currently investigating one of their officers accused of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl while under police detention.

The accused, Mohamed Sanfa, was on duty at the detention centre when a formal complaint was made against the teenager by one Jestina Amara alleging the stealing of the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le150,000) at her residence by the girl. According to the girl's mother Seray Mary Kamara, her daughter was invited to the police station and detained on the allegation of theft but was allegedly released by officer Sanfa at midnight "to have sexual intercourse with the girl".

"After Sanfa had released the girl from detention, he took her to his residence for sex but the girl rejected his offer," alleged the mother. "He then forced the girl into his room and had sex with her.

Immediately after the incident, my daughter went into hiding for fear that she would be arrested by the police. It was during this time that we realized Sanfa was behind the disappearance of the girl."

According to Madam Kamara, investigation into the sexual abuse matter is now being delayed by the Kailahun police station because it involves one of their police officers.

However, officer Sanfa in an exclusive interview with Concord Times denied having sex with the girl but agreed that he was on duty when the girl "escaped". He said he has agreed to pay the Le150,000 allegedly owed to the complainant for the matter to be laid to rest.

"She escaped from detention and I was asked to find out her whereabouts and bring her back to detention," the officer explained. "There were other police officers on duty, so allegation that I took the girl to my residence is untrue."

• Sierra Leone