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Stanley Bangura Jr, the Chief Executive Officer of City Media Centre, which encompasses a radio station, media consultancy, and the Provincial Times Newspaper, has disclosed that the recent attack on Hope FM 93.3, located at 4 Field Road in Makeni on October 23, 2023, was orchestrated by the landlord who own the premises where the radio has operated for the past seven years.
During a well-attended press conference held at the radio premises on October 25, 2023, Bangura provided insight into the incident. He stated, “At about midday, I received a phone call from the Station Manager that they had been attacked by a group of thugs who forcibly entered the radio premises with the intent to claim a portion of the building that is under our tenancy.”
Bangura continued, “On my arrival, I discovered a group of thugs led by two known individuals, Fereh Conteh and Abdulai Conteh, and later I identified another participant who was very active in physically assaulting the radio staff. He identified himself as Baba Bio and boasted about his actions.”
He reported that five of his staff members were injured and are currently receiving medical treatment. Additionally, property worth Five Hundred and Eighty-Seven Million Leones was destroyed, including computers, sound processors, an audio-sound combiner, an Apple laptop, a Lenovo laptop, and a landline.
Bangura characterized the incident as an attack on the country’s democracy, stating, “What Hope FM and its staff endured can only be described as the most uncivilized incident, the highest form of lawlessness, and recklessness committed by individuals hiding behind political affiliations. Democracy is defined by the rule of law.”
While acknowledging the right to bail, Bangura expressed disappointment at the bail granted to the arrested perpetrators, with the involvement of prominent politicians. He remarked, “The support of SLPP political figures we witnessed at the police station is disheartening for our nation, especially in a matter involving landlords and a tenant. Although the police did not provide details, we knew that they yielded to directives to release all five arrested perpetrators on bail, who are assisting in the ongoing investigation.“
