Year-Long Silence: Government’s Investigation Into Controversial Pardon of LAC Remains Unrevealed
Aaron Parker Over a year has passed since President Julius Maada Bio initiated an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the controversial pardon granted to Baimba Moiforay, famously known as LAC, a convicted murderer.
In a statement signed by Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, the Presidential Spokesman on January 17, 2022, the general public was informed that President Bio has instituted an investigation into the process leading to the granting of pardon to LAC on 1st January 2022 pursuant to Section 63 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No 6. of 1991)
Despite the passage of time, the government has yet to disclose any findings or outcomes from this investigation to the public.
Moiforay, renowned as a magician, faced imprisonment in 2016 following a High Court conviction for the brutal murder of DJ Clef, also known as Sydney David Buckle. His guilt in the murder led to a life sentence handed down by Justice Alusine Sesay.
However, after serving only six years of his sentence, Moiforay was released on January 1, 2022, through a prerogative of mercy clemency endorsed by President Bio. The decision sparked massive public outcry, prompting Bio to subsequently revoke the presidential pardon that facilitated Moiforay’s release.
Since the revocation of his clemency, Moiforay, known as LAC, has evaded authorities and remains a fugitive from justice. Despite the gravity of the situation and public interest in understanding the circumstances surrounding his release and subsequent evasion, the government’s silence regarding the ongoing investigation into the pardon’s process continues to leave many unanswered questions lingering in the public domain.