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Sahr Memphis, CEO of the social media platform Born 2 Blog, spent a second night in police detention at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) amid mounting accusations of blackmail and extortion linked to his posts about the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA).
The blogger was initially detained for questioning on Wednesday concerning an alleged defamation case against the Director General of SLPHA, Yankuba Askia Bio.
The case stemmed from a Born 2 Blog report claiming a container had “vanished” from the Queen Elizabeth II Quay—an allegation the Ports Authority has publicly denied.
New allegations have since emerged, with media influencer Prezo Koroma claiming that evidence against Memphis is “overwhelming.” In a social media post, Koroma alleged there are recordings of Memphis “dae way e been di ask Jada for money,” and that other individuals have come forward with testimonies of being blackmailed through the Born 2 Blog platform.
Koroma shared a leaked chat transcript purportedly showing Memphis negotiating for a payment, with one message reading: “The moment den ge something bra case don don we nr go blast again.”
In response to the detention, admins of the Born 2 Blog page posted on Thursday evening, stating, “We are hearing strong rumors that our CEO H.E. Sahr Memphis is been pressured to apologize to Yakuba Bio as a way of making things look good … As a team we will reject that …. He did nothing wrong to apologize to anyone.”
The SLPHA had earlier issued a disclaimer acknowledging the blog’s statements but emphasizing that “any inquiries or criticisms directed towards our Authority should be approached with respect and constructive intent.”
While media freedom advocates have condemned the detention, a separate public statement by Hon. Laycon accused Memphis of “digital blackmail,” warning that his actions violate the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021, which carries penalties of fines up to Le 50,000,000 or imprisonment for up to five years.
Police are yet to issue an official statement on whether formal charges have been filed.
