Sierra Leone: the presidential pardon of a famous magician is controversial
Seven years ago, the magician LAC was imprisoned for the murder of Henry David Sydney Buckle, aka DJ Clef.
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2 min
The presidential pardon of the magician Mbaimba Moiforay alias LAC is controversial in Sierra Leone.
Sentenced in 2016 to twenty-five years in prison for the murder of a famous DJ, he was pardoned by President Julius Maada Bio on January 1 as a "prerogative of clemency".
LAKE.
therefore left Pademba Road prison in Freetown free after serving only a quarter of his sentence, a controversial release from prison.
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It must have been an ordinary release from prison, but for ten days, LAC has been spilling a lot of ink in the Sierra Leonean press.
Well known for his shows in which he manipulates snakes, the magician, friend of the stars, today prefers not to talk about him.
Mbaimba Moiforay, whose real name is, is one of 160 prisoners pardoned by President Julius Maada Bio.
Seven years ago, LAC was imprisoned for the murder of Henry David Sydney Buckle, aka DJ Clef.
The lifeless body of this celebrity had been found abandoned near a cemetery in the capital, a few days after a party at the magician.
The DJ's organs had been removed, suggesting a ritual crime.
Was the Sierra Leonean president aware of the allegations against LAC at the time of his recent pardon?
The correctional services, responsible for establishing the list of people receiving pardon, refused to comment.
To date, no list of names of those officially pardoned has yet been released.
And for good reason, some sources suggest that the magician was released under a false identity.
The government spokesperson said an investigation was underway.
On Wednesday, several civil society actors denounced a lack of transparency in the process of granting the presidential pardon and deplored that, of the 160 prisoners pardoned, only five were women.
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Sierra Leone
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Julius Maada Bio