IGP Sellu Vows to Enforce Child Marriage Ban 2024
Inspector General of Police (IGP) William Fayia Sellu has pledged his full commitment to enforcing the newly enacted Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 in Sierra Leone.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting organized by the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the Ministry of Social Welfare on September 17, 2024, IGP Sellu highlighted the signing of an MoU between the two entities, aimed at ensuring the law’s effective implementation. He emphasized that this collaboration reflects his dedication to supporting the First Lady’s vision and eliminating child marriage.
IGP Sellu called for collective action, urging other ministries, agencies, and organizations to join in combating child marriage, especially in rural areas, with the help of traditional leaders. He also stressed the need for vigilance in preventing parents from settling cases with minimal compensation and called on the National Council for Civic Education and Development (NACED) to aid in the law’s rollout.
To speed up child marriage cases, he proposed establishing a fast-track court and underscored the importance of cooperation across Sierra Leone’s criminal justice system. As part of the SLP’s commitment, IGP Sellu announced a plan to open a one-stop centre for child marriage cases at a new Aberdeen police station, set to launch in November 2024.
He also assured protection for whistleblowers through the SLP’s witness protection scheme and highlighted ongoing Family Support Unit training sessions to ensure the law is enforced effectively.
The MoU outlines the SLP’s role in overseeing officers in Family Support Units to manage cases of child abuse, child justice, domestic violence, and human trafficking. Both parties have committed to reviewing cases involving children to determine appropriate legal measures.
