By Stephen V. Lansana
The Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has received a complaint from the Management of Fountain of Peace Radio in Moyamba District, southern region, of an alleged attack and assault of the Station Manager, Mr. Alie Tokowa while he was duty on Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
SLAJ said in statement on Friday that the station manager was allegedly beaten by supporters of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) apparently on the instruction of the former District Council Chairman Mr. Joseph Gbogba at the SLPP party Office in Moyamba District.
According to the victim, he was invited by Mr. Lamboi (one of the aspirants for the Moyamba District Council chairmanship) to provide Outdoor Broadcast (OB) for him while at the SLPP party office. According to him, upon arrival he was allowed to enter the party office and observed the event, during which argument started among supporters of both aspirants.
“Soon after, fighting broke out and they started throwing stones at each other,” Alie explained. He said during the fighting, some supporters of the former District Council Chairman were recording the incident with their mobile phones, which gave him the confidence to also follow suit so that he would have evidence if the need arises.
According to the journalist, the former District Council Chairman spotted him taking the video and instructed his boys, led by Joseph Kamara aka Jokay, to beat him and take his phone from him. He added that over four youth rushed at him and they kicked, slapped and dragged him to the floor inside the party office. He said he was forcefully taken inside a room whilst onlookers were shouting ‘You are killing a journalist!’
He informed SLAJ during a visit at the Connaught hospital, where he is now receiving treatment, that the youths used his head to open one of the doors at the party’s office, which led to him currently experiencing serious pain on his head, neck and other body parts.
Alie is currently responding to treatment at the Trauma Ward 5 Connaught hospital.