By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Prominent businessman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, has initiated legal proceedings against the Chief Executive Officer of Komon Tok Media Platform, Ibrahim Mohammad Kargbo, over alleged defamatory statements made on the platform.
The lawsuit, filed both in the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone, accuses the Komon Tok Media Platform of libelously linking Gento Group to notorious cocaine trafficker Jos Leijdekkers. According to legal experts, under UK law, as Ibrahim Mohammad Kargbo is based in the United Kingdom, he has the opportunity to retract the defamatory statements within a stipulated timeframe or provide evidence to substantiate his claims. Failure to do so will result in full legal action being pursued against him.
Gento, through his legal representatives—Church Street Solicitors in London and Yada Williams & Associates in Sierra Leone—has issued formal pre-action letters demanding a retraction and apology for what they describe as baseless allegations linking him to a Dutch national with a criminal background.
On February 18, 2025, Church Street Solicitors, acting on behalf of Gento, issued a Pre-Action Protocol Letter under Media and Communication MC53 to Kargbo, warning of potential legal consequences should the false claims not be retracted. The letter accuses Kargbo and his Komon Tok platform of making unfounded allegations that Kamara had business dealings with Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch national reportedly involved in drug trafficking.
According to the legal notice, Komon Tok had stated that Leijdekkers was allegedly funding Gento’s government concession agreement for the Banana Island Project. However, the letter emphasizes that no evidence was provided to support such claims, and that the allegations have significantly harmed Kamara’s reputation.
“You are aware, or ought to have been aware, that there is a high possibility that our client’s reputation may suffer as a result of your media publications and announcements,” the letter reads. It further states that Kamara has no connection whatsoever to Leijdekkers and that the businessman has built a reputable career in Sierra Leone through legitimate enterprises.
Church Street Solicitors have demanded that within 14 working days, Kargbo must:
1. Issue a public retraction of the allegations on the Komon Tok platform.
2. Publish a formal apology to Kamara and Gento Group of Companies.
3. Pay legal costs incurred by Kamara in addressing the matter.
The letter warns that failure to comply could result in litigation, which could carry significant financial and reputational consequences for Kargbo and his media platform.
In a separate legal action, Yada Williams & Associates, a leading law firm in Sierra Leone, also issued a defamation notice to Kargbo on February 19, 2025. The firm’s letter references statements made by Komon Tok on February 7 and 9, 2025, alleging that Leijdekkers was financing Gento’s $1.5 billion Seaport Project.
The letter highlights several direct quotes from Komon Tok’s broadcasts, including:
“From what we understand, this guy (Jos) is the one behind the $1.5 billion project Gento Group of Companies is embarking on.”
It also cites Kargbo’s follow-up response after some Sierra Leonean newspapers refuted the allegations:
“Instead of threatening legal action, why won’t Gento Group bring forth tangible evidence to show the source of their finance?”
According to Yada Williams & Associates, these statements falsely imply that Gento and his company are involved in unlawful activities and lack transparency in their business dealings. The legal team argues that such accusations could damage Kamara’s business relationships, credibility, and financial standing both locally and internationally.
The letter demands that Kargbo:
1. Issue a full retraction and apology within 72 hours of receiving the letter.
2. Cease further defamatory publications about Kamara and Gento Group.
The legal representatives warn that failure to comply will result in civil proceedings in either Sierra Leone or the United Kingdom, where Komon Tok operates.
Both legal teams have indicated that if Kargbo does not comply with the demands, lawsuits for defamation will be filed. Such cases could lead to substantial financial damages and further legal costs for Kargbo and his platform.
Legal experts suggest that the case could set a precedent for media accountability in Sierra Leone, particularly regarding the responsibility of online platforms to verify claims before publication.
The ongoing legal dispute has sparked debate about press freedom, responsible journalism, and reputational damage in the digital era. Ibrahim Sesay, a Civil Rights activist argues that unverified accusations can cause significant harm to businesses and individuals.
With legal actions escalating on multiple fronts, this case highlights the growing importance of ethical reporting and the legal consequences of defamatory statements. Whether through a public retraction or a legal showdown, the outcome of this case will likely have a lasting impact on media practices in Sierra Leone and beyond.
