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The trial of popular musician Alhaji Amadu Bah, known as LAJ, commenced today at the Bo Magistrate Court No. 2, amid heavy security and a controversial directive blocking media access to the proceedings.
Bah appeared before the court following his arrest yesterday at the border. The rapper was detained on a bench warrant after failing to attend a previous hearing concerning charges of cyberbullying and insulting conduct directed at the Mayor of Kenema, Thomas Baio.
The start of the trial has been overshadowed by a reported order from the Southern Regional Police Commander, AIG Andrew Mustapha Kamara, prohibiting journalists from entering the courtroom.
Despite the presence of several media outlets, reporters were denied entry to the gallery. The move has drawn sharp criticism from press freedom advocates and local practitioners, who argue that the restriction undermines the transparency of the judicial process.
“Journalists have a fundamental right to report on court proceedings,” members of the media community stated while gathered outside the premises. “This is a significant setback for accountability and access to information.”
The prosecution’s case centers on events that took place on March 21, 2026, during a music launch in Bo. According to the formal charge sheet, Bah faces three specific counts:
Cyberbullying (Counts I & II): Allegations that the defendant willfully used a computer system to distribute video content intended to insult Mayor Baio and cause him “needless anxiety.”
Insulting Conduct (Count III): A charge under the Public Order Act 1965, alleging the use of abusive language against a public official.
The second defendant, Ibrahim Koroma (alias Prezo Koroma), is also implicated in the social media distribution charges.
