All posts by : Christian Conteh

By: Mabinty M Kamara

Claim: Colonel Massaquoi, the Acting Head of Prisons in Sierra Leone, has submitted his resignation letter this evening for personal reasons.

Verdict: FALSE

Full Text: Contrary to circulating rumours on social media platforms, Colonel Massaquio has dismissed the claim of his resignation from the position of Acting Director of Sierra Leone Correctional Center.

“My attention has been drawn to a social media post which says that I have resigned my position as Acting Director of Sierra Leone Correctional Center. I wish to make it explicitly clear that the information is not only false and baseless but intended to smear my character and paint me bad,” he said.

He added, “The general public is advised to ignore the baseless story and is assured of my loyalty to the Oath that I took to defend the country and protect the constitution of Sierra Leone.”

Methodology:

Both Colonel Massaquoi and the Prisons Communications Unit have issued a disclaimer, refuting the baseless rumours and affirming his continued commitment to his role.

Claim: Solomon Jamiru has resigned as Presidential Press Secretary

Verdict: TRUE

Full Text: Solomon Jamiru, the Presidential Press Secretary, has indeed submitted a two-month notice of resignation, a fact confirmed by reliable sources close to State House.

Methodology: Although direct confirmation from Jamiru was unavailable, reliable sources close to State House have confirmed his resignation notice. The resignation takes effect in March this year.

By: Mabinty M. Kamara

Claim:

EDSA is distributing free 70 electricity units to all new and old customers to celebrate Christmas and New Year. Get yours now. HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM EDSA

CLICK BELOW TO GET
https://edsa.sl.officialgovt.site/

Verdict: FALSE  

Methodology:

A verified press statement from the Electricity Distribution Supply Authority (EDSA) which the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers are in possession of in which the authority clearly dissociated itself from such offers, noting that it is a false claim.

Conclusion:

The said link is fake and should not be countenanced by EDSA customers across the country.

This Fact Check is a part of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom initiative combating disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle, supported by Global Affairs Canada.

#U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

By Mabinty M. Kamara 

Verdict: True

The former President on the 3^rd of January 2024 appeared at the Pademba Road magistrate court in Freetown to answer to four count charges including Treason in relation to the November 26 attempted coup in Sierra Leone.

Methodology:

To verify this claim, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact-checkers contacted court officials and colleagues in the courtroom.

A verified press release from the Ministry of Communication confirmed the claim.

Conclusion:

It is confirmed that the former two-term president of Sierra Leone is currently undergoing treason trial among other charges in relation to his alleged involvement in the November 2023 attempted Coup in Sierra Leone. He is currently on bail.

This Fact Check is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada

#U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

By: Mabinty Kamara

Claim:

The Commanding Officer of the Female Correctional Centre in Freetown has been arrested in connection to the ongoing Coup attempt investigations.

Verdict: True

Methodology

SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom contacted the Correctional Centre. According to Lesly Cole Showers, the institution’s Media Officer the female commanding officer at the Freetown Correctional Centre has indeed been arrested. Showers confirmed the arrest and noted that the officer is assisting the police with ongoing investigations.

By: Mabinty Kamara

Claim: Shooting and general unrest at Murray Town in Freetown

Verdict: TRUE

Full Text

Reports suggest that in the early hours of Tuesday 28^th November 2023, gunshots were heard around the military barracks in Murray Town and subsequent unrest in the vicinity.

Methodology:

Reliable sources within the vicinity have confirmed that indeed shots were fired during an incident involving the extraction of two suspects from a specific area in Murray Town. The security sector has also confirmed this as true

Conclusion:

There was indeed shooting and unrest at Murray Town leading to the apprehension of two suspects, following yesterday’s unrest.

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information in Sierra Leone.

We will continue to update you on the incident and more

U Don Chek Am?

Na 4 Chek Am!

By: Christian Conteh

Claim: Government lifts Curfew Order

Verdict: FALSE- A nationwide curfew that was declared on Sunday Morning is still in force

Full Text:

On Sunday 26^th November 2023, a nationwide curfew was declared. This is in direct response to a security breach at the armory in Wilberforce barracks leading to firing in some parts of Freetown.

Immediately after the President’s address to the nation at 8:00 pm, social media was awash with opinions, questions and rumours that the curfew had been lifted.

Methodology:

To answer these questions, verify these opinions and confirm these rumours the SuperNewsRoom carefully listened to the full length of the President’s speech and also looked out for official correspondence from  statehouse or the Information Ministry. None of these suggest the curfew is lifted.

Conclusion:

There is an ongoing curfew across Sierra Leone and the government has not made any official statement to suggest it is lifted.

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information in Sierra Leone.

We will continue to update you on the incident and more

U Don Chek Am?

Na 4 Chek Am!

By: Mabinty Kamara

Claim: LAJ has been released from Prison and he has surrendered himself to the Sierra Leone Police

Verdict: False– Popular hip-up artist LAJ has not surrendered himself to the Sierra Leone Police

Full Text

Reports on social media have suggested that popular rapper LAJ has surrendered himself to the Sierra Leone Police after the confirmed prison break in Freetown. This our police source confirms is not true. LAJ was spotted in a viral video among other alleged released inmates. It is claimed that he has been freed from the Pademba Road Correctional Centre where he has been serving a jail term.

Methodology:

The SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact checkers contacted the spokesperson of the Sierra Leone Police Assistant Commission of Police ACP Brima Kamara to ascertain if the celebrity handed himself over to the police after his release from prison. However, he could not confirm the claim when we contacted him.

Conclusion:

We can confirm that LAJ is out of prison but has not surrendered himself to the police

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information in Sierra Leone.

We will continue to update you on the incident and more

U Don Chek Am?

Na 4 Chek Am!

By: Mabinty M. Kamara

Claim: LAJ is out of prison

Verdict: TRUE– Popular hip-up artist LAJ has been spotted in a  viral video among other alleged released inmates. It is claimed that he has been freed from the Pademba Road Correctional Centre where he has been serving a jail term.

Methodology: the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom fact checkers contacted the Sierra Leone Correctional Service Media Officer Lesly Cole-Showers who confirmed that LAJ is not in their custody.

Conclusion: We can authoritatively confirm that LAJ is out of prison

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information in Sierra Leone.

We will continue to update you on the incident and more

U Don Chek Am?

Na 4 Chek Am!

By: Mabinty Kamara

Claim: Abandoned military van around Kossoh Town full of arms including RPG

Verdict: TRUE- A military van was found around Kossoh Town full of arms including RPG

Full Text:

A military van with arms including a Rocket Propel Grenade (RPG) was in the early hours of November 26 2023 discovered abandoned at Kossoh town. The vehicle with registration number 72SL07 is believed to have been left there after an exchange of gunfire between opposing military forces.

Methodology

The SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom reached out to the Sierra Leone police. A police source confirmed that a military van believed to have been in possession of the attackers was abandoned at Kossoh Town around a place called Mende Town Junction after hitting a wall.

Conclusion:

Although the police source didn’t confirm whether or not the vehicle was full of armory, we can from video evidence confirm that ammunition including a Rocket Propel Grenade was in the abandoned vehicle.

Note:  This fact-checked story is a product of the SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom on Combating Disinformation in Sierra Leone’s 2023 electoral cycle. The project is supported by Global Affairs Canada to enable citizens to have access to credible and accurate information in Sierra Leone.

We will continue to update you on the incident and more

U Don Chek Am?

Na 4 Chek Am!