By: Probyln J. Alpha
Credible information reaching this medium alleges that Raymond Bob Steven, the Line Manager at the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Motema Police Divisional Headquarters in Nimikoro Chiefdom, Kono District, is engaged in unethical practices that undermine the integrity of the unit. He is accused of soliciting bribes from both alleged perpetrators and victims’ families in exchange for compromising investigations into sexual penetration cases reported at the unit.
To substantiate this allegation, our correspondent recently visited the Motema FSU in relation to a reported case of sexual penetration that allegedly took place in Kokuayima Town, Koidu City, Kono District. Upon arrival, and after explaining the reason for the visit, the Line Manager, Mr. Steven, initially denied any knowledge of the case in question.
However, when the correspondent placed a call on speakerphone to the source who originally provided the tip-off and the caller explained the matter in detail Mr. Steven then admitted that the case had, in fact, been reported.
According to Mr. Steven, the survivor’s parents had reported Cherrnor Bundu, a resident of Kumoa, Nimikoro Chiefdom, for allegedly sexually penetrating their underage daughter (name withheld). Mr. Steven stated that preliminary investigations revealed the suspect had traveled from Kumoa and allegedly committed the act. He confirmed that Bundu had been arrested and placed in police custody, and that the case had been referred to the Rainbow Centre at Koidu Government Hospital for medical assessment.
When questioned about allegations of accepting bribes to compromise cases, Mr. Steven denied the accusations, claiming that it was actually both families the survivor’s and the accused’s who attempted to offer him money to settle the case informally. He claimed that he rejected the offer outright and warned the families that the matter would be charged to the Sefadu Magistrate Court.
Despite initially promising to share the contact details of the survivor’s family for further investigation, Mr. Steven later failed to do so and instead sent the following SMS messages to our correspondent:
“Mr. Journalist, I wish to express my dissatisfaction with your method of investigation. First, try to get the name and address of the complainant in the matter you’re trying to investigate. Secondly, get the particulars of the suspect, and third, you must reveal your source regarding the alleged Le15,000 given to the police. Also, identify yourself so I can verify your journalistic credentials.”
In a second message, he wrote: “Sir, do you know a lady called Fatmata who is alleging a case of sexual harassment and intimidation? I would like to meet with you tomorrow at 10:00 AM to discuss your side of the story.”
“Our conversation is enough for my objective of meeting you to verify the allegations about your office. Let me also inform you that there is another report on my desk alleging that you requested Le5,000 to compromise a similar case. Publication of these findings is underway.”
Sources within the Motema Police Divisional Headquarters confirmed that prior to this current allegation, Mr. Steven had also been accused of requesting at least Le5,000 to compromise another sexual penetration case. The source stated that this behavior drew disapproval from several of his colleagues.
The ongoing allegations have raised serious concerns about the ethical conduct of officials in sensitive units like the Family Support Unit, where survivors of gender-based violence should be guaranteed protection and justice.