Fact-Check Story
A post on the Insalone Facebook page went viral on social media on 16th Sunday October 2022 indicating that Alhaji Amadu Bah, the father of renowned rapper known as King Boss LAJ has been arrested. The post reads “The father of popular Sierra Leonean artiste LAJ have been arrested by the Sierra Leone Police Force this past Friday. Pa Bah’s arrest came at a time when his son LAJ is standing trial at the High Court in Freetown for alleged robbery with aggregation…”
Fact-Checkers Comments
The Father of LAJ was arrested for alleged conspiracy to influence a witness cited by the police as Conspiracy to Pervert the Cause of Justice…On the first hearing ball was denied by Justice Adrian Fisher.
By Ophaniel Gooding and Alina Kallon
A post on the Insalone Facebook page went viral on social media on 16th Sunday October 2022 indicating that Alhaji Amadu Bah the father of a renowned rapper known as King Boss LAJ has been arrested. The post reads” The father of popular Sierra Leonean artiste LAJ have been arrested by the Sierra Leone Police Force this past Friday. Pa Bah’s arrest came at a time when his son LAJ is standing trial at the High Court in Freetown for alleged robbery with aggregation…,”
Sierra Leone Police spokesperson, Brima Kamara told the truth team that LAJ’s father is in custody and is being investigated for Conspiracy to Pervert the Cause of Justice.
During the court sitting on Monday 17 October,2022 State Counsel Y.I. Sesay told the Judge (Justice Adrian Fisher) that the relatives of the accused (LAJ), especially his father wants to interfere with their witnesses.
He told the Judge that LAJ’s father made several advances on their witness, naming one Ishmael, whom he said was promised huge sum of money not to appear in Court.
The Lawyer said the witness recorded the discussion and can be tendered for exhibit at the request of the court. He further told the court that LAJ’s dad is helping the police with the investigation.
During the Defences bail application, the ` affidavit was rejected citing tampering with evidence. Bail was denied.
LAJ was arrested on Sunday 12th June 2022 and later charged with the following: robbery with violence contrary to Section 23 (1)b of the Larceny Act, 1916 as repealed and replaced by Section 2, Act No. 16 of 1971 and assault occasioning actual bodily harm contrary to Section 47 of the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861.
It will be recalled that there was a public outcry over the cutting of LAJ dreadlocks whilst in police custody. The Sierra Leone Bar Association published a statement expressing concern over the arrest, detention, and physical abuse of popular musician Alhaji Amadu Bah (LAJ), and the Independent Police Complaints Board confirmed it is conducting investigations into the allegations of human rights abuse by the police.