All posts by : Christian Conteh

By: Christian Conteh

Claim: A military guard attached to former President Koroma has been shot dead

Verdict: TRUE

Full Text

Reports confirming the shooting of a security guard, known as Eddie, by military personnel have emerged. Additionally, another officer was forcefully taken from the former president’s residence during this incident.

Methodology:

SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom reached out to Ishmael Sheriff, Principal Assistant to Former President Koroma who confirmed that Eddy was indeed shot dead by military personnel and another officer forcefully taken.

Conclusion:

We can authoritatively confirm that a military guard attached to former President Koroma was shot dead in the former president’s Femi-Turner residence.

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

Verdict: TRUE, It has been confirmed

Full Text

Reports on social media indicating the release of detainees from the Kissy police station situated on Barracks Old Road by individuals donning military attire have been confirmed by an officer assigned to the Kissy Police Station.

Methodology:

The SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom reached out to personnel at the station and an officer assigned to the station affirmed that a cadre of men dressed in military camouflage descended upon the station.

He went on to confirm that, “they not only freed the detainees housed within the facility but also disarmed the Operational Support Division (OSD) personnel who were on duty”.

Conclusion:

Although the exact count of detainees liberated during this incident remains undisclosed, we can authoritatively confirm that indeed detainees at Kissy Police Station were freed by unidentified military personnel

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: Idrissa Ahmid Kamara, known as ‘Leather Boot’ and a former Head of the Sierra Leone Police Close Protection Unit serving ex-President Koroma, has been gunned down.

Verdict: TRUE, the pictures and video on social media have been confirmed

Full Text:

Videos and photos circulating on social media indicate the tragic shooting of Idrissa Ahmid Kamara, widely recognized as ‘Leather Boot,’ who previously led the close protection unit for ex-President Koroma. Investigations confirm the authenticity of this claim.

Methodology:

Through investigation including video and picture verification, it has been established that Idrissa Ahmid Kamara, bearing the Alias ‘Leather Boot’ and formerly in charge of the Sierra Leone Police Close Protection Unit, was indeed fatally shot.

Conclusion:

After forensically verifying the video and photo on social media we can confirm that Idrissa Ahmid Kamara, known as ‘Leather has been gunned down.

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: The Public Broadcaster SLBC is under Siege

Verdict: FALSE, SLBC went off-air at some point in time but is not under siege.

Full Text

Reports circulating on social media claimed that the State Broadcaster (SLBC) was under siege, with heavy smoke allegedly emanating from its compound.

Methodology:

Investigations reveal that these claims are inaccurate. Residents living around the SLBC premises and staff members have confirmed that the station and its personnel are not under any form of attack or siege.

Conclusion

While it’s true that SLBC was off-air at some point in time, there is no evidence to support the claim of a fire or a siege at the compound.

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: There has been a breach in security at the Pademba Road Prison and Inmates are on the run

Full Text

Reports have emerged alleging a breach in prison security resulting in the release of inmates in Freetown. The claims circulating suggest that unidentified individuals breached the prison, leading to the release of inmates. The exact time and location of this incident remain unverified, but the reports indicate a significant security breach.

Verdict: TRUE-  We can confirm that there has been a Breach of Security at the Pademba Road Correctional Facility and Inmates have been released

Methodology

BBC Stringer Umaru Fofanah, a reliable source, who is out in the streets conveyed information regarding this incident.

Efforts to confirm these claims involved attempts to contact the Police media team, which were unsuccessful. However, sources close to the prison facility have hinted at a security lapse leading to inmate release.

The specifics surrounding the incident, including the number of inmates released, remain unclear at this point. No official statement from law enforcement or government authorities has been made available to verify or provide details on the situation.

Conclusion: We can confirm that indeed there has been a breach of security at the Pademba Road Correctional facility and Inmates are on the run.

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:

United States Government Slams Visa restrictions on some Sierra Leonean officials for undermining the Democratic Process in Sierra Leone 

VERDICT: TRUE https://www.state.gov/visa-restriction-policy-on-undermining-the-democratic-process-in-sierra-leone/

FULL TEXT:

A social media post that has been shared many times on Whatsapp and Facebook indicated that “The US has slammed Visa restrictions on Sierra Leonean officials responsible for “undermining the democratic process in the June 2023 elections.”

Methodology:

To verify this claim, SLAJ/NDI SuperNewsRoom contacted the United States Embassy in Freetown. The Press and Media Coordinator Alhassan Jalloh confirmed that the said post is a decision of the US government, adding that the statement can be found on the US website.

Conclusion: The US Government has levied a visa restriction on some Sierra Leonean officials whose names are currently withheld.

“Due to privacy restrictions surrounding visa eligibility information, we do not publicly publish names of individuals who are affected by this policy,” Sarha Van Horne, Public Affairs Officer at the US embassy in Freetown said.

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 have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

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By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

CLAIM: Makoni Times posted on its Facebook wall that Major Issa Turay was killed by President Bio’s government.

VERDICT:  False, the Turay family has released a statement detailing the circumstances of Major Turay’s death, which was natural.

Full Text:

On Thursday evening, Makoni Times posted on its Facebook wall that Major Issa Turay who passed away this week was killed by President Julius Maada Bio’s government. On its Facebook wall, it carried the picture of the later soldier with the quotation: “Another military officer from the North, Kamakwei has been killed by the Bio regime: Major Issa Turay of RSLAF”

VERIFICATION

The Turay family has since released a statement detailing the circumstances leading to his death, which shows it was a natural cause. His elder brother, Aruna Turay who authored the press release that has now gone viral, explained that Major Turay collapsed suddenly at his Benguema residence and was rushed to the military hospital at Wilberforce.

Aruna Turay wrote: “The truth is that the Late Major Issa Turay died of Natural Causes in the early hours of Wednesday, 16th August, 2023.”

Turay added: “In the early hours of Wednesday, he collapsed at his residence at the Armed Forces Training Centre (AFTC) in Benguema. His fiancée (a lactating mother) telephoned me at 6:20 am and informed me that Major Issa has just reported “feeling bad” and dropped on his parlour floor. So, immediately, I advised her to take him to the Medical centre at AFTC,”

Aruna continued that his brother was later referred to 34 Military Hospital, Wilberforce and by the time they got to the hospital he was pronounced dead.

The Turay family has urged Makoni Times to take down the post or they will explore an option to litigate the platform.

CONCLUSION: Based on the detailed explanation from the family, Major Issa Turay was not killed by the Bio government as Makoni Times claimed.

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 have access to credible and accurate information during the elections.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

By Abdulai Sillah

Claim: All APC elected MPs reject boycott, pledge to represent electorates in Parliament.

Verdict: False

Full Text: On August 3rd, 2023, a social media post purportedly authored by an individual named National Political Prophet circulated on various platforms, asserting that all APC party elected Members of Parliament had convened at the regional party office in Makeni and unanimously expressed their commitment to fulfilling their duty by representing their constituents in Parliament. The piece also alleged tensions arising from the surprise stance taken by the MPs against a boycott, with claims that Dr. Samura Kamara and the Executive were caught off guard by this firm decision, with the MPs chanting “we want to go to Parliament.”

The post further contended that the MPs declared their intention to prioritize the interests of their voters and called for APC members’ support in effectively representing their respective constituencies in Parliament.

Methodology: To fact-check this assertion, Super Newsroom engaged Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma, a senior APC party member who serves as the parliamentary caucus leader for Bombali district MPs and is involved in the organization of the party.

He categorically refuted the claims, labeling them as entirely false. Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma acknowledged a meeting held on the specified date at the regional party office involving all elected APC officials, led by Dr. Samura Kamara and the party’s executive. However, he clarified that the outcome of the meeting was a renewed commitment to continue boycotting governance until their concerns were addressed.

He stated, “We will not attend Parliament until our concerns are addressed. The meeting aimed to reinforce our commitment to our boycott action. The people who elected us strongly support our stance, and we are resolute in upholding their wishes. Since we communicated our position, President Bio and the SLPP party have not made any direct effort to engage with us. We anticipated negotiations and discussions, but as of now, the party is unaware of any such developments.”

Hon. Peter Yamba emphasized that Dr. Samura Kamara had informed them of engagement with the United Nations, which acknowledged the country’s political stalemate due to their stance.

He asserted that their decision was unanimous and free from tension, with the electorate still expressing their preference for the boycott. “Should we attend Parliament? No! Our constituents continue to urge us not to go,” he added. He affirmed their unwavering determination to persist on their decision until their concerns were adequately addressed.

Conclusion: The claim that all APC MPs have officially rejected the boycott and pledged to represent their electorates in Parliament lacks substantiated evidence. Furthermore, the APC party asserts that no direct engagement has occurred with President Bio or the SLPP party regarding their concerns, which remain unaddressed.

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 have access to credible and accurate information.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!

HATE SPEECH ALERT!!!!!!

By: Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

Over the past two weeks, Sierra Leoneans have found themselves on edge due to reports of military arrests and discussions surrounding alleged subversion by military personnel. Amidst these reports, a surge of fake news and hate speech has emerged, further intensifying an already contentious issue.

Social media platforms have been inundated with viral messages featuring an image of Colonel Musa Bangura, a military officer, accompanied by implicit threats related to his alleged involvement in a supposed military takeover.

In response, the police issued a statement confirming the arrest of several military officers suspected of planning actions that could disrupt the peace and stability of the state, potentially leading to violence. The details of the arrests were elaborated upon during a joint press briefing, attended by the Chief of Defense Staff and the Inspector General of Police.

According to the Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, those apprehended include 8 midlevel military officers, 6 non-commissioned military officers, 2 current police officers, 1 former Police Superintendent (arrested by the Liberian government), and 2 civilians. However, official identities have yet to be disclosed despite multiple inquiries.

Regrettably, the allegations have fueled an outpouring of hate speech both in support of and against the arrested individuals. This alarming trend has taken hold online, fostering a hazardous environment barely a month after the recent election.

Due to the explicit and provocative language contained in these materials, the SLAJ/NDI newsroom has chosen not to directly share the links. Nonetheless, the individuals responsible for creating or disseminating these posts will be acknowledged.

While numerous such materials exist, two have been singled out for attention due to their widespread circulation, partly attributed to their viral nature. The prominence of these materials has led to their selection for examination.

CASE 1- A TikTok user with the handle @mikebayoh1 posted a video last week that drew significant attention. The video featured a barrage of invective language aimed at those perceived to support the alleged government overthrow. Notably, the invectives were extended to leaders of the All Peoples Congress Party, including former President Ernest Koroma and current party leader Dr. Samura Kamara.

This video was also shared by prominent social media activist Dr. John Idriss Lahai, accumulating over 12,000 views on his Facebook page. Likewise, @mikebayoh1’s TikTok account received over 11,000 views for the video. This surge in viewership occurred within days of posting, with the video quickly becoming the most-watched on the channel.

CASE 2- Last week, a writer known as Abu Shaw published an article on TheOrganiser.net, alleging that some of the arrested officers had already been killed. The article contained numerous disparaging accusations and provocative statements, none of which were substantiated with quotations or evidence.

Both Abu Shaw and Mike Bayoh share the commonality of residing outside the country.

In the midst of a tense post-election atmosphere, an escalating number of similar materials laden with invectives and hate speech are disseminated online. Such content could potentially exacerbate existing divisions and kindle the flames of dangerous unrest.

NOTE: This Hate Speech Alert article 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 have access to credible and accurate information.

The SuperNewsRoom is powered by Africell SL.

U Don Chek Am? Na 4 Chek Am!