Several reporters in the country have expressed grave concerns over the delay by the committee set up by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to investigate the matter between supporters of Maada Bio and the National Organizing Secretary of Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) James Bampia Bundu on one hand and between the Editor of Awareness Times, Abdul Karim Kabia (Fonti) and SLPP Flagbearer Aspirant Maada Bio on the other hand.

It could be recalled that SLAJ set up a committee consist of Ishmael Koroma, Joseph Kapuwa, Theophilus Gbenda and Francis Sowa in December 2010, with a mandate to speedily investigate attacks on Bundu and Fonti by Maada Bio and his supporters.   

Reporters from across the country, who preferred not to be named, are now expressing apprehension over the delay in coming out with a report on a very serious matter that hinge on the security of the two journalists.

Most of the reporters, who have been monitoring the issue with keen interest, are now raising doubts over the manner in which SLAJ has so far handled the matter.

It is of significance to note that two affected journalists and their witnesses have been very cooperative with the unprecedented SLAJ investigation committee.

When contacted, Publisher of the Awareness Times Newspaper, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, expressed dismay over what she described as inexplicable delay in investigating threats and assaults on her cherished journalists.