By Sorie Conteh.
24-year-old Omarion Koroma escaped prison on Sunday, 26th November, 2023, during the failed coup attempt after spending over a year in detention without charge.
Our investigations disclosed that Omarion was arrested two days after the deadly August 10th, 2022 protest in Sierra Leone on accusations he was part of those who wrecked havoc during the protest.
In an interview with this medium, Omarion’s father, Ibrahim Koroma, said his son was in prison for over a year without knowing his offense.
“Omarion is a cool boy who everyone knows is a member of the opposition All Peopleโs Congress Party, on Friday 12th August, 2022, he was arrested while trying to open his boutique around Wilkinson Road in the West of Freetown. The police took him to Lumley Police Station, where he was macilessly beaten together with other detainees. As a family, we tried everything within our powers to secure his release, but all our efforts were in vain.”
“A few days later, he was taken to the maximum prison in Freetown without knowing his crime or sent before a court. One of the officers at Lumley Police Station told me in confidence that Omarion was arrested because few supporters of the rulling Sierra Leone Peopleโs Party confirmed that he was part of those actively involved in the protest of 10th August, 2022; which is not true, for Omarion was in the house all day during the protest.”
“We were deprived of seeing him in prison, but his wife was allowed to see him once after bribing her way in. During the failed coup on 26th November, 2023; my home was gripped with fear after we heard the news that the prison was breached during the coup. We were worried because the images we saw on television were scary. A few days later, Omarion sent a message through a friend that he had escaped the country because his life was in danger. We were happy to know he was alive, but again, we were sad because we could not see him.”
“As of now, I don’t know where my son is, whether he is alive or not, but I am hoping he is alive and will one day hear his voice again.” He concluded.
Sajor Jalloh, Omarion’s friend, said he heard Omarion was in Guinea by early December 2023 but could not confirm whether he was still there.
Investigations by this medium discovered that Omarion left Guinea for Europe since Guinea was also not safe for him.
Information Minister Chernor Bah said the government will do all in their powers to ensure all escaped prisoners are found and taken back to prison. He said the government has also placed huge ransom for anyone who will provide information, leading to the arrest of escaped prisoners. He concluded that the government has contacted neighboring countries to ensure they arrest and inform them about any of those escaped prisoners in their respective countries.
