By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Justice Adrian Fisher of the High Court No.1 has on Friday 17th March 2023 sentenced Sierra Leonean Rapper Alhaji Amadu Bah aka LAJ to 9 years imprisonment after he was found guilty on four counts charges of robbery and inflicting grievous bodily harm and he was ordered to pay compensation to the victims and the state a total of 40 million Leones.
In a jampacked court filled with emotions over the outcome of the judgement, fans, family members and a cross-section of artists were optimistic that the outcome would have been on their side.
The State Prosecutor Yusuf Isaac Sesay Esq in the last adjournment date was ordered to present the antecedent of the convict if there was any to which the state prosecutor presented it.
He said the convict has a matter before Magistrate Mark Ngegba with details of it are assault on police, disorderly behavior, and riotous conduct and the date of these occurrences was dated 17th July 2021.
The state further alleged that the convict was also arrested for robbery, wounding and inflicting grievous bodily harm that during these investigations came the charges for which he was convicted but with no Antecedent as to convictions.
The state prosecutor in his oral submission on sentencing said the accused person is liable by law on counts 1,2, and 3 to penal servitude not less than 15 years!
In the words of the State Prosecutor, the convict is an icon and people who are icons should be a good example to society, that the bar is raised giver for them and there are certain situations in which you exercise restraints.
He went on that these pump attendants left their homes to earn an honest living, but got robbed by a musical icon.
For the offence of robbery, the state prosecutor asked for 10 years on each count, as he said that this sentencing will send a message to society that irrespective of status, or background that no one is above the law.
He went on that in the presence of the musical icon, insulting words were rained at the female pump attendant and he did nothing to halt or stop his goons from using such words, he described the Act as an Act of lawlessness and violence perpetrated on two women and that as an icon his role is to protect women.
The state prosecutor also asked for four years on count 4 inflicting grievous bodily harm on innocent citizens.
The convict in his plea mitigation thanked the judge, state prosecutor and his legal team. He said when the judge convicted him on Monday, he realized his wrongdoing to which he accepted his wrongdoing and respects the judgement of the judge and believes in the judiciary system.
Alhaji Amadu Bah apologized to the victims, the LEONCO fuel station, the entire nation and the judge for the bad publicity he said this matter may have brought upon them.
“I am not a thief, I am a cheerful giver, I stand before you as a young man who has made a mistake and learnt of it therefore and promises to be a better person”.
“I have performed on many stages but this has been the worst stage to ever stand on and has been the longest nine months of my life”.
The rapper said he has used his craft (Music) to bring peace amongst youths, helped his colleague artists, saved lives and used it to help propagate a message during the COVID period to which he made a soundtrack together with his H.E President Julius Maada Bio, that even the First Lady of the Republic admired him so much and know fully well that he is not a bad person.
“Am not just a celebrity but a human being and I take full responsibility for my actions, I have been a good person but was with the wrong company, I am a regular human being that have being friends with the wrong people and I ask for mercy to make amends for my actions.”
The rapper pleaded for mercy from the judge as he said he promised if given the opportunity he will become an ambassador of peace, and a better role model focusing on his craft, that this mistake should not cease his future. The rapper said he is aware that his mistake has caused him so much and the innocent family members and friends around him that were involved in this mess; he tendered an apology to them.
He concluded that when investigations started on the ongoing matter at the CID, he opted to pay for the missing money that the pump attendant claimed got missing, he also claimed that he was unaware that the driver did not pay for the fuel and also opted to pay for it for the matter to be settled out of public interest.
The convict broke down in tears apologizing to his fans, family members and the nation at large.
Justice Fisher in his sentencing remarks said to the convict that the ones who follow him are the ones who placed him in the present situation he is facing.
The judge went on that the convict and his associates were on board an unregistered vehicle and he alone attacked four persons describing the act as thuggery and lawless.
Justice Fisher sentenced the convict to 9 years imprisonment. On counts 1,2, and 3 the convict was sentenced to 9 years and on count 4 he was sentenced to 3 years and six months all sentences to run concurrently, that the convict shall pay compensations to the victims and to the state and order for the properties of the victims to be returned.
Outside of the courtroom fans, family members of the convict collapsed after the sentence was passed on and were quickly rushed to seek medical attention.