By Ibrahim S.Bangura
Jimmy Bangura popularly known as Jimmy B., “the god father of Sierra Leone Music” has appealed to President Julius Maada Bio to give Alhaji Amadu Bah popularly known as LAJ the forthcoming Presidential Pardoning.
On June 12, 2022, LAJ, who is a renowned local rapper, was arrested for robbery and other related offences. While in police custody, several reported human rights violations were also made against him. As a result, he was sentenced to nine years in prison.
After LAJ had served over two years at Pademba Road Correctional Centre in Freetown, Jimmy B. decided to appeal to President Bio for his release.
In his letter, Jimmy B. believed that if LAJ is released, he would be a changed man the society would like to see.
Jimmy B. writes, “Dear Sir, I greet you in the name of my Lord and personal savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth. I can only imagine how blessed, yet demanding, and stressful the privilege of running a Country is. Therefore, I will keep my letter brief so as to not eat into the valuable time of your daily activities. Sir, sometimes God allows us to go through the worst of times. He allows us to go through unbelievable challenges and, from time to time, allows the devil to have his way, in order to test our faith. Of course, the devil will always try to manipulate us into doing his bidding so that we not only lose our way but also fail to actualize God’s purpose for us. Only by his grace do we overcome. We are all a work in progress, and as mortals, none of us is perfect. Sometimes, we do fall short. But when we do, our Father in Heaven, being true to the definition of the word “Father,” always shows us mercy and forgives us. We all know LAJ, has made so many, many, many questionable decisions in the past…and I will never, in good conscience trivialize any of his mistakes, especially for that which he was convicted and serving time. However, the Bible says in John 8:7 ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’. Sir, as Father of the Nation, I ask with great humility, that you forgive and show mercy to our brother, your son, LAJ, by pardoning and have him released from prison. I want to believe that the LAJ who went in will come out a different man, a better man, a more positively impactful man to society, by God’s grace. In spite of his many undesirable actions in the past, he has some attributes that are admirable. For example, he was selfless and supportive of his fellow artists in so many ways. He was very giving and helpful to so many. I genuinely believe that God allowed him to go through this dark period, simply to humble him and to have him make that u-turn so that he can be a better version of himself. Already, I have noticed some visible changes. A few months ago, he recorded a sensitization song on substance abuse, discouraging the youths from this new menace called KUSH. After the very unfortunate incident of November 26th, LAJ, on his own volition turned himself in to the relevant authorities, a gesture every law abiding and patriotic citizen applauded. I have spoken to so many in the entertainment industry, both friends and foes, who are 110% in support of his release. To you, my dear sister and mother of the nation, Madam, Dr. Fatima Jabbie Bio, if by chance you get to see and read this letter, I kindly ask that you add your motherly voice to my appeal. I remember we had this conversation almost fifteen months ago, sitting next to you, on a flight back home from Accra, you were sympathetic to his plight and spoke highly of him. As the mother of the nation, I ask once again that you add your voice. With this, I end my letter. Sir, I wish you and your family and the beautiful people of this great nation (Sierra Leone) a very merry, merry Christmas and a happy, glorious, and prosperous 2024.”