Lawyer Joy Precious Bayoh Arrested For Alleged Cyberstalking of President Bio

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police has arrested and detained lawyer Joy Precious Bayoh on allegations of cyberstalking President Julius Maada Bio.

This arrest follows a tweet by Bayoh, where she challenged the legitimacy of Tuma Adama Jabbie as the President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association.

On June 11, 2024, President Bio shared a tweet reaffirming Tuma Adama Jabbie’s position. In response, Bayoh posted a critical reply, reflecting the sentiments of many lawyers who do not recognize Jabbie as their representative. Bayoh’s tweet read:

“Sir even you yone legitimacy highly questionable. Tuma ein yone sef questionable. So just inform the public what you received is a number of lawyers. Tuma does not represent the Bar Association Executive.”

The Sierra Leone Police have interpreted this tweet as cyberstalking, leading to Bayoh’s arrest. The CID’s swift action has sparked a debate on freedom of expression and the boundaries of lawful criticism in Sierra Leone.

The arrest has drawn reactions from various quarters, particularly within the legal community. Several lawyers have expressed concern over what they perceive as an attempt to stifle dissenting voices and limit the right to free speech.

Bayoh’s arrest adds to the growing discourse on the use of social media and the legal ramifications of online speech. The case raises important questions about the balance between protecting public figures from cyber harassment and upholding the fundamental rights of individuals especially of lawyers to express their opinions.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

A Sanusie | 2024-06-21 01:45:30

I am sure orders came from above, but apparently, SLP needs to go look up the definition of cyber stalking. Responding to Illegitimate Bio in a critical manner is not cyber stalking. This is beyond ridiculous. What kind of a legal system do we have that would arrest this woman and then prosecute the case? Sick! I pray for the day when we have an AG or a Police head that has the fortitude to tell the president, a minister or any high up official that wants to abuse the system and have people they don't like arrested on bogus charges, that no crime was committed when no crime was committed.
| 2024-06-21 01:29:09

Even more questionable, what business has the President got to do with the Bar Association? Does the President have to recognize the Executive of the Bar Association? This "new executive" is not even making an attempt to meet with its members, whose welfare they should be seeking, instead of trying to "laybelleh" to the President. Oh I forget, state capture, in process...
| 2024-06-20 15:51:14

The rabid Paopa supporters have been ruffled; the young lawyer touched a raw nerve with their demi god/godfather. How dare her to question his legitimacy? But isn't his legitimacy an open secret, just repeating what everybody, except the blind supporters, knows?
| 2024-06-19 09:25:11

Who are you to question the legitimacy of the president? Is suprim no longer existing?
| 2024-06-19 07:22:29

My problem with us in Sierra Leone is that we find it difficult to say the truth as long as its against us. Don't freedom of speech have limits? Can anyone just come and melt sarcastic words at you and called it freedom of speech? Its sad that those we look up to as learned people are so 'idiotical' in that thinking and talking.
| 2024-06-18 23:55:58

Freedom of Speech has turned to cyberstalking! Salone don loss
Senior | 2024-06-18 23:27:01

Nor to Joliman na idiot. Na you papa na idiot.
| 2024-06-18 21:24:58

Let them check how many letter words are there in har statement and let each word represent her jail term in months.
| 2024-06-18 20:07:04

Jollyman......idiot man
| 2024-06-18 19:54:40

She deserves what she gets, who is she?To question the legitimacy of the president .
| 2024-06-18 19:53:14

That answer was really nasty of her some of this let them go lawyers has no respect for elders.look at a brat like that talking to a whole head of state like that
| 2024-06-18 19:42:00

Anyway the election must be there past and Bar Association must think about development Let the lawyers act and help promote the land we love.
| 2024-06-18 19:36:42

Jollyman, you na idiot.
| 2024-06-18 19:04:43

She deserves two years in custody for careless words
| 2024-06-18 19:04:03

This is one of the reasons why this regime has become unpopular on the aspect of free speech... Honestly this is not far from a witch hunt.... How does this tweet attract a case of cyberstalking???? Unar release the lady Bo.... This is ridiculous....
| 2024-06-18 18:36:49

THe end will justify
Jollyman | 2024-06-18 18:29:26

She deserves to be behind the bar. If she is embittered she should not bring her bitterness to the first gentleman of the country. If they ask her now to bring evidence to prove her utterances she won't present any. She will only end up begging with her knees on the ground. Most of these Charge-and-Bail lawyers think they know everything but they don't really know anything. Let her chill behind the bar for a while. When she finally comes out she will have sense. Smhhh.
| 2024-06-18 17:20:42

Bio's legitimacy is highly questionable as Jabie's. Like president like president
| 2024-06-18 16:33:27

Out with the Public Order Act and in with the Cybersecurity Act! What a ridiculous charge...sliding down the road to a dictatorship, saful saful.
| 2024-06-18 16:17:45

She must be a fool