By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Integrity activist and social critic, Dr. John Idriss Lahai, has formally endorsed Mohamed Omodu Kamara, popularly known as Jagaban, as the most credible aspirant to lead the All People’s Congress (APC) and eventually Sierra Leone, declaring him the candidate best equipped to “rescue the nation” from corruption and mismanagement.
In a detailed statement issued on Monday October 6, 2025, Dr. John Idriss Lahai described his endorsement as a “verdict of conscience”, stressing that his decision was not motivated by politics or personal gain but by evidence gathered over years of investigative scrutiny.
Dr. John Idriss Lahai rose to prominence as the country’s foremost investigator of academic fraud and corruption within Government institutions. His work exposed senior officials, including former Inspector General of Police, Ambrose Michael Sovula and former Clerk of Parliament, Umarr Paran Tarawallie, for holding unrecognized academic credentials.
Despite those revelations, Dr. John Idriss Lahai argued, the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) failed to act with integrity. Instead of sanctioning Umarr Paran Tarawallie, the party rewarded him with the powerful position of Secretary General.
For Dr. John Idriss Lahai, this confirmed what he calls a “collapse of ethical leadership” in the ruling establishment. “The SLPP protects those implicated in wrongdoing. It is corrupt at the core and incapable of self-correction,” he asserted.
According to Dr. John Idriss Lahai, his endorsement of Jagaban is not rooted in party politics but in the urgent need for competent, credible leadership.
“I have never met Jagaban in person,” he disclosed. “But my independent investigations, carried out with the same rigor used in exposing fraudulent degrees, convinced me that he is the only aspirant with the integrity, competence and independence to rescue Sierra Leone.”
He revealed that during his campaign against academic fraud, he was offered bribes exceeding $100,000 to abandon his investigations, all of which he rejected. That experience, he said, sharpened his understanding of how corruption thrives in Sierra Leone and why leadership must be entrusted only to those with clean, verifiable records.
Dr. John Idriss Lahai explained that he applied a meticulous three-step vetting process to evaluate aspirants vying for APC’s leadership:
- Background Review – checking educational and professional records for authenticity.
- Content Analysis – examining public speeches and written statements for consistency and honesty.
- Capacity Audit – assessing real-world accomplishments, including business ventures, job creation, philanthropy and independence from state resources.
Based on that analysis, Jagaban stood out as the only aspirant who met all criteria.
“Unlike others whose records are questionable or who depend on state patronage, Jagaban’s wealth and achievements are traceable, verifiable and independent,” Dr. John Idriss Lahai said.
Mohamed Omodu Kamara, better known as Jagaban, is a Sierra Leonean entrepreneur and philanthropist based in the United States. In 2011, he founded Our Care Inc., a healthcare company that now employs more than 350 people.
Dr. John Idriss Lahai highlighted that record as proof of Jagaban’s executive capacity: “He built a company that thrives internationally. That level of competence, independence and accountability is exactly what Sierra Leone needs.”
Jagaban entered politics in 2020 as an APC member. Since then, he has funded multiple community initiatives across Sierra Leone, including:
- Infrastructure Commitment: Pledging to procure a modern ferry to ease transportation challenges.
- Religious Support: Donating NLe 250 million to the Council of Pastors in Grafton and supporting Muslim communities with mosque construction projects.
- Grassroots Empowerment: Offering soft loan schemes for traders, food distribution drives, and agricultural support.
- Youth and Education Investment: Donating tailoring machines, vocational tools, computers and scholarships to empower young Sierra Leoneans.
“These acts are not promises but demonstrated leadership. Jagaban has been practicing what others only pledge to do,” Dr. John Idriss Lahai remarked.
With the APC preparing for its internal flagbearer elections ahead of the 2028 general polls, Dr. John Idriss Lahai argued that the party stands at a critical juncture.
“The APC cannot afford to choose based on tribalism or sentiment,” he warned. “If it wants to regain power, it must present a candidate with credibility and national appeal. Jagaban is that candidate.”
He urged APC delegates to prioritize competence and electability over factional divides, stressing that Sierra Leoneans are increasingly demanding leadership that goes beyond political rhetoric.
Beyond APC politics, Dr. John Idriss Lahai called on the Sierra Leonean public to rally behind Jagaban, describing him as the only candidate who can unite the country and restore trust in governance.
“Our nation is in crisis. Public institutions have collapsed under corruption, incompetence and mismanagement. Sierra Leone needs verifiable leadership, not recycled promises. Jagaban has the proven capacity to rebuild this country,” he said.
Dr. John Idriss Lahai acknowledged that his decision to endorse a political candidate marks a turning point in his activism. For years, he was known primarily as a whistleblower and critic of governance. But he said it was no longer enough to simply expose wrongdoing without offering a path forward.
“This endorsement is the natural progression of my integrity campaign,” he explained. “Rescue requires more than exposing rot; it requires identifying and supporting leaders who can replace it with competence and transparency.”
Dr. John Idriss Lahai concluded his endorsement with a personal commitment to actively campaign for Jagaban’s success.
“I will do all in my power to ensure he emerges as APC’s flagbearer and I will stand with him until he becomes President. This is my solemn pledge to Sierra Leone,” he affirmed.
According to him, Jagaban embodies the qualities of integrity, independence and inclusivity; values that Sierra Leone urgently needs in its next leader.
Dr. John Idriss Lahai’s endorsement of Mohamed Omodu Kamara (Jagaban) marks a significant intervention in Sierra Leone’s political landscape. Coming from a figure celebrated for exposing corruption and feared by those implicated in academic and governance fraud, the endorsement lends moral weight to Jagaban’s candidacy.
For Dr. John Idriss Lahai, the choice is not about party loyalty but national survival. As he puts it: “This is a verdict of conscience. Sierra Leone must be rescued. Jagaban is the only man prepared to lead that rescue mission.”
