By Emmanuel Mbowa
Bo, March 27, 2026 — A bench warrant has been issued for the arrest of Sierra Leonean rapper and Peace Ambassador Alhaji Amadu Bah, popularly known as LAJ, after he failed to appear before the Bo Magistrate Court on Friday.
Magistrate Solomon James Brima of Court No. 1 declared the warrant against LAJ and co-defendant Ibrahim Koroma, who were summoned to answer allegations of using abusive and insulting language against the Mayor of Kenema City, Thomas Baio. The Mayor was present in court for the proceedings.
According to reports, LAJ allegedly insulted Mayor Baio during a recent stage performance in Bo. Lead prosecutor Mohamed Monya Sheriff told the court that an affidavit of service had been filed, but the defendants failed to appear. He argued that the absence was deliberate and urged the court to issue a warrant of arrest.
Magistrate Brima subsequently ordered the bench warrant and adjourned the matter to Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
Meanwhile, LAJ’s legal counsel, Madieu Sesay Esq., told Truth Media that his client was never officially served and that the defense team had no prior knowledge of Friday’s proceedings.
The complainant, Mayor Baio, was represented in court by a team of lawyers including M. Sheriff, B.J. Adu, E.S.M. Gando, L.S. Juldeh, H.M. Karimu, S.B.E. Sesay, F. Gbau, and S.K. Ansumana.
