The Board of Directors of the LAKE Group has issued a formal public apology and full retraction of defamatory statements previously made against Ms. Esther Yeanoh Kamara, following an internal investigation that cleared her of all allegations of wrongdoing.

In a press statement released by the LAKE Group, the parent company for Miss Freetown SL Limited and several other entertainment subsidiaries, the Board addressed a publication made on March 17, 2025, concerning Ms. Kamara, a former Executive Director of Miss Freetown Beauty Pageant (MFBP) SL Limited.

According to the statement, management decisions at the subsidiary level – specifically Miss Freetown SL Limited – were taken based on initial audit reports and without adherence to the due process required by the LAKE Group’s central leadership. The Board said these actions led to the publication of allegations against Ms. Kamara, including claims of financial misconduct.

The LAKE Group Board explained that once the matter was brought to the attention of the parent company, it initiated a comprehensive internal investigation to establish the facts. The investigation, the Board said, found that Ms. Kamara did not embezzle funds and was fully cleared of all allegations related to the finances of the 2024 Miss Freetown Beauty Pageant.

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“We are pleased to announce that Ms. Esther Yeanoh Kamara has been completely vindicated of all alleged wrongdoings,” the statement said. The Board offered an apology to Ms. Kamara and her family, acknowledging the distress caused and accepting full responsibility for the publication and its dissemination.

As part of the resolution, the LAKE Group formally retracted “in its entirety” the March 17, 2025 publication across all platforms. The Board confirmed that all related posts have been removed and that measures have been taken to prevent any further publication or republication of the statements.

The press statement also disclosed that both parties have agreed to resolve the matter amicably. All court cases related to the dispute will be withdrawn, with the LAKE Group describing the outcome as a mutual decision to move forward “in a spirit of unity.”

Reflecting on Ms. Kamara’s professional record, the Board described her as a staff member it is “most proud of,” citing her six years of service and characterizing her as a professional of integrity and competence. The statement expressed regret for what it described as damage to her reputation, brand and person caused by the earlier publication.

In a move described as a demonstration of goodwill, the LAKE Group announced that Ms. Kamara has been granted a five percent shareholder stake in Miss Freetown SL Limited. The Board also confirmed her reinstatement, not only as a staff member but as a Board Member in charge of Operations at Miss Freetown SL Limited. In this role, she will work alongside the Executive Director, Esther Moi Tarawallie.

The LAKE Group said it was pleased to welcome Ms. Kamara back after nearly a year away, adding that the settlement represents a fresh start and a renewed commitment to the growth of the Miss Freetown brand. The Board reiterated its position that talents must be protected and due process respected, noting the group’s stated mission of uplifting young Sierra Leoneans and transforming the country’s entertainment industry.