Popular Sierra Leonean journalist Amadu Lamrana Bah has brought to light serious allegations against Dr. Dennis Sandy, the country’s Minister of Works and Public Assets.

Dr. Sandy stands accused of rape and sexual harassment by his step-daughters, a revelation that has sent shockwaves through the nation.

Despite the severity of the accusations, the minister has yet to make a formal public statement or refute an audio recording allegedly implicating him, which has since gone viral.

Lamarana Bah, in pursuit of journalistic integrity, reached out to Dr. Sandy for his side of the story. However, rather than addressing the accusations, the minister offered a response that seemed to avoid the central issue. Bah shared the response in which Dr. Sandy wrote:

“Hello sir, kikikiki kikiki check d news around en u will get d answer right away. I remember again how u misfired about me regarding d Toll Gate review in May this year. I hope u won’t go down that path again. But let me ask u now a question – y are u most times interested in bad or ugly news about govt officers than d good news they generate from their jobs? Is that what ur own journalism is all about?”

According to Bah, the minister’s response not only failed to deny the allegations but also appeared to be an attempt at intimidation.

In his report, Bah expressed concern about Dr. Sandy’s failure to directly address the claims and called attention to the ethical implications of the minister’s stance.

Bah further argued that, morally, President Julius Maada Bio, who has been a vocal advocate for the protection of women and girls, should not allow Dr. Sandy to continue serving in his government while these allegations remain unresolved.

He emphasized that the minister should be suspended from his duties until an independent investigation can be conducted.

In Bah’s view, the President’s inaction in the face of such allegations would undermine his commitment to gender equality and the safety of women in Sierra Leone. Dr. Sandy’s position in the Cabinet, Bah suggests, should be reconsidered until the legal process determines the veracity of the accusations.

Lamarana Bah’s report has reignited public discussion about accountability within government, particularly when serious allegations arise involving top officials.