The Civil Society Forum in Moyamba has called on the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to Investigate the alleged beating of journalist, Alie Tokowa on 28 March 2023 at the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party’s (SLPP) office in Moyamba Town. 

The CSOs stated that they are gravely concerned over the merciless beating of their colleague which they alleged was done by supporters of the outgone Council Chairman, Joseph Benedict Mbogba.

According to the report gathered from eyewitnesses, there was an issue between Joseph Lamboi (an aspirant of the Moyamba District Council Chairmanship under the SLPP ticket) and some SLPP officials in charge of the nomination forms over suspicion that the officials in charge of the nomination forms were trying to influence procedures in favour of their preferred candidate (Joseph Mbogba) and requested to see the application of his opponent. They added that the committee denied him and told him if has any issues with the process there are reporting channels.

It was further reported that the row became noisy and Ali Tokowa (the victim), who was passing by became concerned and visited the scene to know the facts.

At the scene, Mr. Tokowa reportedly took out his phone to record the incident when known supporters of the outgone Chairman allegedly rushed at him and gave him the beating of his life, leaving him helpless.

The victim was subsequently taken to the hospital but due to the severity of his health, he was immediately transferred to Emergency Hospital in Freetown.

“As a body of Human Rights Activists, we view this situation as unfortunate, as it signals grave consequences for our lives as we continue to monitor all the processes leading to the June Polls. We strongly condemn the action of the perpetrators and call on the Sierra Leone police to investigate the matter speedily to ensure that justice is served fairly,” the CSOs stated.

“Furthermore, we continue to admonish persons aspiring for political positions to continue to preach peace to their supporters not to in any circumstance resort to jungle justice. Being a country of law and order, we expect persons who feel offended to seek justice through the court rather than pursuing acts of thuggery and barbarism. We consider an attempt at the life of one of us as an attempt on the lives of all of us. We stand in solidarity with our colleague’s victim and continue to monitor this situation to its end,” they added.

The attention of the SLP was called by the below below-signalization ranging from Legloma Youth for Development, Human Rights Defender Network- Chairman, Network Support for Peace Education, Campaign for child and youth empowerment (CCYE-SL), Health For All Coalition Sierra Leone, Kpagbama Farmers Investment International Sierra Leone, COMUNITY OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FOR TRANSFORMATION-SL(COST-SL), Forum for Child Welfare, Advocacy for Justice and Empowerment Sierra Leone,  UNION FOR THE REFORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH SIERRA LEONE (URDY-SL).