Tensions are rising within Sierra Leone’s media and governance circles following allegations that Reverend Smart K. Senessie, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), ordered the arrest of journalist Ibrahim Alusine Kamara, also known as Kamalo.

Kamara, the Managing Editor of Salone Compass Newspaper, had recently published an investigative article exposing alleged corruption at the SLRSA’s Moyamba station.

The article, released on October 15, 2024, titled “MASSIVE CORRUPTION UNCOVERED AT SLRSA MOYAMBA STATION… ED in Desperate Cover-Up,” revealed claims of widespread fraud and bribery involving senior officials within the organization.

Kamalo’s report suggested that officials were engaging in illegal activities, including soliciting bribes in exchange for services related to road safety regulation and vehicle licensing.

The investigation sparked widespread public concern, with calls for an immediate probe into the authority’s activities.

However, rather than addressing the allegations, the SLRSA leadership, particularly its Executive Director, is alleged to have retaliated by ordering Kamalo’s arrest.

The move has triggered a wave of criticism from press freedom advocates, civil society organizations, and members of the public, who view it as an attempt to suppress independent journalism and stifle transparency in governance.

Critics argue that instead of responding with intimidation, the SLRSA should focus on launching a transparent investigation into the corruption claims raised in the report.

Many see this action as part of a broader pattern of crackdowns on journalists who report on misconduct within public institutions, raising concerns about the state of press freedom in Sierra Leone.