By Foday Moriba Conteh
The High Court of Sierra Leone has on 30th July 2025 ruled in favour of businessman, Kobi Walker, in a high-profile defamation case, declaring that allegations made against him by politician, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, were false, malicious and without lawful justification.
Delivering judgment on July 30, 2025, the Court awarded Walker NLe 250,000 in damages and NLe 50,000 in legal costs, further declaring that audio recordings circulated by Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray amounted to libel. The Court stressed that while freedom of speech remains a constitutional right it does not extend to the deliberate propagation of falsehoods calculated to destroy reputations.
In a statement after the ruling, Kobi Walker welcomed the decision as both a personal vindication and a wider victory for integrity in public life. “This judgment is not just a personal vindication; it safeguards the future of our children,” he said. “It signals that it will no longer be business as usual for those who defame innocent individuals. It ensures that future generations can aspire, achieve and break ceilings through dedication, passion, commitment and determination, without fear of being unjustly maligned.”
Legal analysts have described the ruling as a landmark decision that sends a stern warning to individuals who weaponize misinformation for personal or political advantage, underscoring the judiciary’s role in upholding truth and justice. The Court also expressed expectation that Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray will fully comply with the ruling to avoid further consequences, including potential contempt proceedings.
Observers have questioned why Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, who in other instances displayed evidence such as photographs of the fugitive “Jos” seated in a church at Tihun, Bonthe District, where President Julius Maada Bio and other dignitaries were present, as well as details about Jos’s wife in Turkey, houses allegedly purchased for former Immigration boss Ahmed Kanneh and gifts given to him, failed to produce any credible evidence in the case involving Kobi Walker. Instead, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray’s claims remained unsubstantiated, raising doubts about his motives.
It could be recalled that on February 2, 2025, Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray publicly alleged in a Facebook post and WhatsApp audio that Kobi Walker was involved in drug trafficking and money laundering related to the acquisition of Sierra Rutile Limited. He further claimed that Kobi Walker was harboring a notorious drug trafficker, identified as “Bello Jos,” at his under-construction resort near York Village and accused him of using Leonoil Company Limited as a channel for illicit financial dealings. Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray went on to suggest that Sierra Leone was becoming a hub for drug-related money laundering.
Kobi Walker categorically denied all accusations, describing them as “completely false, malicious and baseless.” Both Leonoil and Sierra Rutile issued statements discrediting Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray’s assertions. Leonoil reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and corporate integrity, while Sierra Rutile stressed that its acquisition process fully complied with regulatory standards.
Following the High Court ruling, it has also emerged that Kobi Walker has initiated legal proceedings against Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray in the United States and plans to pursue another defamation suit in Sierra Leone after being labeled “unscrupulous” by the politician.
This latest judgment not only clears Kobi Walker’s name but also reinforces the principle that reputational attacks grounded in falsehood will not be tolerated under Sierra Leonean law.
