On 18 September 2026, Magistrates’ Court No. 4 in Freetown dismissed criminal charges against human rights defenders Prince Tommy Williams and Mohamed Turay due to lack of evidence. The charges stemmed from their defence of Lifeline Nehemiah Projects (LNP) land, allegedly being taken by the Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karmity, for housing projects funded by the Indian Government through the United Nations Development Programme.
Both men had faced trial since December 2025 and February 2026 on accusations of riotous conduct, incitement, stone-throwing, and disrupting police operations. The magistrate, in his ruling, stressed the prosecution failed to present a strong case, leading to their discharge. The proceedings lasted nine months, with Williams appearing 25 times and Turay 19 times. Both defenders continue to highlight police violence against them, and the non-return of confiscated belongings, including a mobile phone belonging to Prince. They also face intimidation linked to ongoing High Court disputes over ownership of LNP’s land in Kuntorloh, which the Ministry of Social Welfare contests, amid rumours that the Ministry is plotting to resurvey the entire community and repossess the land. In short, the criminal case has been dismissed, but the broader land dispute and allegations of intimidation remain unresolved.