By Amin Kef Sesay
In a Press Release issued by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) on the 13th December 2021 and signed by Alhaji Manika Kamara as Acting Secretary General it was stated that some members of the Association accompanied the Station Manager of Radio Democracy 98.1FM, Asmaa James, to the Cyber Unit of the Sierra Leone Police to make a formal complaint in relation to a video containing obscenities against her personality posted on social media by musician aka LAJ.
SLAJ stated that Radio Democracy, including other radio stations and newspapers, merely reported what the Magistrate ordered in a Court sitting involving LAJ, without any personal comment or reference to the musician, save the particulars of the case which specifically named him in Court.
The Association continued that it is shocked by the content of the said video directly targeting the personality of a hard-working journalist who was just doing her normal work, and the fact that it came from a musician whose career the media helped to build and who is expected to be a positive role model in society.
SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, said: “This is not only an attack on one of our respected and outstanding female journalists but also on our journalism profession and the women of this nation. This is absolutely unacceptable and we condemn it entirely. Our society does not deserve this kind of uncouth behavior. Regrettably, we know the hard-earned reputation of our dear colleague will not be redeemed by any penalty that will be meted on the alleged perpetrator but we will not rest until justice is served.”
It was further stated that, meanwhile, while they leave the Sierra Leone Police to do their work, SLAJ calls on all media houses in the country to blacklist musician aka LAJ and ensure that he doesn’t enjoy any favourable coverage until he publicly apologizes to Mrs. James and her family, and to the journalists and women of this country.
On the other hand, in an open letter written by LAJ to Asmaa James and the women of Sierra Leone he said, “I Alhaji Amadu Bah aka Boss (LAJ) I am writing really deeply sorry for the unethical behavior I did on my live video on Saturday 11/12/21, I still can’t believe nor decipher what went through my mind then that I became so rude and let my anger get the best of me and I did the thinkable. For that I’ll say I am sorry to Asmaa James/family and the Women of Sierra Leone.”
He continued by saying there is no justification for what I did and for that I’ll say sorry to the women of Sierra Leone, my family, friends, fans and supporters.
“I have been through a lot for the past couple of years, and it somewhat having a negative effect of mental health and I got overwhelmed during the live, no excuses whatsoever for my actions and I take full responsibility,” he continued to apologize adding, “I am human and I am liable to mistakes and I regret what I did.”
“Bad bush nor day for troway bad pikin, padi or fambul, we all don komot far so duya r de beg me Salone people dem, una sorry me duya. All RFM fans una keep de peace duya,” he apologized in the Krio lingua franca.
“Please accept my apologies. Yours Sincerely, Alhaji Amadu Bah aka King Boss LA,” he ended his letter of apology to Asmaa James.
