By Mohamed Konneh
It was a joy for pardoned inmate to move out of the Prison gate at Pademba Road but in pain as he was glued to a wheelchair unable to walk. Alusine Kamara was seen on a wheelchair as he stepped out of the prison wall for the very first time in eight years.
Unable to walk, Alusine is now disabled and could only move from one place to the other with the aid of a wheelchair. This young man was serving a jail term at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre after he had been convicted and sentenced to seventeen years.
Alusine went to prison as a complete human being with his vital muscles working properly.
His incarceration for the last eight years left him paralyzed and could only move with the aid of a wheelchair.
“I was a complete human but today I am unable to walk. But thanks to God Almighty I am now a free man. I pray to get back on my feet because with freedom I will be able to seek for a better medication,” he said.
Alusine Kamara was convicted on four counts of conspiracy contrary to law. He was among 352 convicted inmates pardoned under the presidential clemency on 2024 New Year.
The pardoned convict spent eight years in prison but continue to struggle with his health.
Alusine said he started experiencing the collapse of his legs and experiencing a nervous breakdown after five years in jail.
“I could not say much but to say thanks to the President for pardoning me,” he added.
On January 1st this year, 352 inmates were pardoned from accross the country. Amongst those pardoned, 341 were male and 11 females.
Both the male correctional centre in Freetown and Mafanta enjoyed the big figures with each having 42 inmates pardoned.
This year also saw one of Sierra Leone’s Hip Hop stars and musician Alhaji Amadu Bah commonly known as LAJ being pardoned by the President His Excellency Rtd. Julius Maada Bio.
