By Amin Kef (Ranger) 

Solicitors of the High Court of Sierra Leone and legal consultants from Premiere Chambers have issued a formal legal notice to Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, currently residing in the United States, over defamatory statements he allegedly made in an audio recording published on February 2, 2025.

The legal team, comprising Patrick Lambert, Mariama Dumbuya, Ransford Johnson, Editayo Pabs-Garnon, Jamila Benjamin, and Patrick Fofanah, is acting on behalf of Leonoil Company Limited and Sierra Rutile Limited. According to the letter addressed to Mansaray, the companies have taken legal action in response to his claims, which they describe as "false, baseless, and malicious."

In the widely circulated audio recording, delivered in Krio, Mansaray allegedly claimed that a certain Bello Jos, whom he accused of being involved in drug trafficking, had attempted to launder money through Sierra Leone’s oil and mining sectors. Specifically, he alleged that Bello Jos had invested in Leonoil Company Limited, enabling the company to acquire Sierra Rutile Limited.

Furthermore, Mansaray purportedly stated that in September 2024, Leonoil, using funds provided by Bello Jos, acquired all shares in Sierra Rutile Limited at $18 per share. He explicitly accused Leonoil of facilitating the acquisition on behalf of Bello Jos.

The solicitors, in their letter, vehemently denied these allegations, clarifying that:

- Leonoil Company Limited, its directors, and shareholders have no affiliation with Bello Jos.


- Bello Jos has never been a shareholder or investor in Leonoil Company Limited, nor has the company received any funds from him.


- The acquisition of Sierra Rutile Holdings Limited was conducted under strict Australian Stock Exchange regulations and in compliance with Australian securities and anti-money laundering laws, with oversight from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).


- Leonoil is a wholly owned Sierra Leonean company with no foreign individual, including Bello Jos, holding any stake or investment in it.

The letter further noted that Mansaray failed to verify his claims or seek clarification from the companies before publishing his allegations, leading to significant reputational and financial harm.

Leonoil and Sierra Rutile, through their legal representatives, have demanded that Mansaray:

- Issue a full and unequivocal public apology for the defamatory statements. This apology must be published on all platforms where the recording was shared and sent to all recipients, including governments and embassies. The apology must receive prior approval from the solicitors before publication.


- Provide a written undertaking that he will refrain from further publishing the recording or any similar defamatory statements.


- Indemnify Leonoil and Sierra Rutile for the costs incurred in addressing the matter.


- Propose damages to compensate for the harm caused to the companies' reputation and business interests.

The legal representatives have warned that failure to comply with these demands will result in immediate legal action against Mansaray in Sierra Leone and the United States, where he currently resides. The letter emphasizes that any litigation will seek substantial damages and legal costs.

The letter concludes by urging Mansaray to treat the matter with urgency and seriousness to prevent further legal consequences.

This development highlights the increasing legal risks associated with the spread of misinformation on social media and reinforces the necessity of conducting due diligence before making public allegations.