Sierra Leone’s Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray has called for justice for the family of the popular disc jockey Sydney Buckle (aka DJ Cleff) who was murdered seven years ago.
After year-long trial BaimbaMoi Foray aka LAC was sentenced to death by hanging for the murder of DJ Cleff,but was released on January 1, 2022 after a presidential clemency.
Moiforay had served only six years of his prison term before his release.
His release sparked public outrage which prompted President Julius Maada Bio to invoke his decision. The president announced the institution of an investigation into how the name of the convicted murderer got into the list of those pardoned.
Moiforay was one of 160 people released on New Year’s Day under the prerogative of mercy provision of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
Minister Swarray told newspaper editors at a consultative meeting organised by the Guild of Editors on Monday in Freetown that “I want justice for the bereaved family.”
The Minister said that he had never met with Moiforay before, and he did not know him. “This is the truth and the whole truth,” he said.
The Statement of the information Minister came after a photo emerged on social media showing Moiforay posing the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Anthony BrewahEsq. and Minister Mohamed Rahman Swaray.
The photo was allegedly taken at the home of Mr Brewah in Tiama in the Moyamba District.
The photo provoked speculations about the role senior government officials might have played in the release of the convicted murderer.
Mr Swaray said he was not a member of the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, and did not influenced Moiforay’s release.
Information Minister said he was traveling from the provinces when he decided to visit his colleague minister at his private residence, adding that it was purely coincidental that he met them there.
“I have lived a life with a beacon of integrity,” Minister Swaray said.
State House Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Keketoma Sandi was quoted as saying that, the process to grant pardon to Moiforay was irregular and flawed, adding that the Prerogative of Mercy Committee did not meet certain criteria.
Moiforay is on the run after President Bio revoked his clemency on Monday, January 17, 2022.
By Alusine Sesay