I have been following the news of the Presidential Pardon of one of Sierra Leone finest rappers, Alhaji Amadu Bah known as LAJ.

I watched the videos of his release and I also listened to his speech at the front of the correctional centre where had been his home for the past years.

I pray that he adheres to what he has promised amongst which are to be law abiding citizen and also promote peace in the country.

As the publicity of his release from prison spread like wildfire across the globe, as he continues to celebrate his newfound freedom, I want to remind LAJ that those who were behind what he and some of his family members including his father, and his colleague artists went through in the hands of the Sierra Leone Police in Benghazi are still around and some of them are still powerful.

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In as much as President Maada Bio used the powers vested upon him by the National Constitution to include LAJ amongst those who were lucky to be released from prison today, I strongly believe that the decision LAJ took to return to prison after the prison break galvanised many supports around him. This is confirmed by the minister of information and civic education.

However, as one of those who had raised concerns about the human right violations LAJ and others suffered in the hands of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), like the alleged beating and the apparent removal of his dreadlocks while in police custody at the notorious Police Paramilitary detention centre called Benghazi in Freetown, I wish President Maada Bio’s government would institute an independent investigation into the alleged human rights violation that took place at Benghazi.

I think Sierra Leoneans would like to know about the lawfulness of the removal of his dreadlocks, and other inhumane treatments he endured during his arrest and detention.

Also, I believe that citizens are supposed to demand for an independent investigation into such human right violations and anyone found wanting be subjected to the law.

As a democratic state, it would be unfair and unjust for powerful people or politicians to subject people they perceive as threat to them or their political existence into inhumane and degrading treatments just to make them powerless and helpless including locking them up, and then capitalise on a situation wherein the victim will turn around and thank those who engineered their predicaments for their release.

I am not saying LAJ didn’t commit any crime but those who charged him with robbery with aggravation or robbery knew that was wrong and such moves were designed to keep him silent in prison and make him feel powerless and helpless.

I just believe that many actions taken during LAJ’s arrest through his sentencing was designed to take him out of society and to thwart him from engaging on national conversations on national issues especially political ones.

In addition, those who were parading around the world including on social media saying LAJ was a threat to society, and he was so lawless that the Sierra Leone Police’s action against him during his detention was justifiable was proven to be wrong when LAJ voluntarily returned to his Prison cell after the jail break on the 26th of November.

His return to prison after the jail break demonstrated that LAJ was not as lawless as the way those people wanted us and the rest of the world wanted us to believe.

Additionally, whether LAJ single -handily returned to prison or he was advised by his lawyer or family members, his return to prison painted his character and person with a completely different paints which those who were defending the ill-treatments he went through during his arrest, torture, charge, and sentence to Pademba Road Correctional centre.

Shamelessly, those who were defending LAJ’s inhumane treatments including the cutting of his dreadlocks, and who were even fabricating stories about how the hip hop rapper was evil and lawless are the ones trying to take credit for his release or even trying to pretend as if LAJ was released because the empathy and love they have for him.

Let me say this before I rest my case, granted that the release of LAJ is a welcome news, but I and I believe with many Sierra Leoneans would want an independent investigation into the allegations of torture he was subjected into during his detention, and I call on the government, and or the human rights commission to thoroughly investigate why his dreadlocks were cut off and what did they do with his dreadlocks.

Therefore, as we celebrate his released from prison, let us also demand for the truth behind his alleged torture during police detention.

It is on this note, Ithat would like to wish every Sierra Leonean home and abroad a prosperous and happy 2024.
I rest my case.