Tarawally’s Lawyers Give SLPP Chairman Seven Days to Withdraw Membership Letter

Lawyers representing former Member of Parliament Alhaji Musa Tarawally have given Sierra Leone People’s Party National Chairman Jimmy Batilo Songa seven days to withdraw a letter concerning Tarawally’s party membership.

In a letter dated September 21, Jengo, Sam & Partners challenged Songa’s September 17 communication, which alleged that Tarawally held membership in both the SLPP and the Citizens Democratic Party.

The lawyers described the dual-membership allegation as false and argued that Songa did not have the authority to determine Tarawally’s membership independently. They also said any dispute over membership should be handled through the SLPP’s established disciplinary procedures and authorised organs.

Lawyers set out demands

Jengo, Sam & Partners demanded that Songa withdraw the letter, issue a correction through the channels where it was circulated and stop repeating the allegation. They also called for written confirmation of Tarawally’s status as an SLPP Grand Chief Patron and national delegate.

The lawyers said Tarawally had not received a complaint, hearing or disciplinary decision before Songa issued the letter.

According to the legal representatives, Tarawally resigned from the CDP in writing on June 15, 2018, before publicly returning to the SLPP during that year’s presidential run-off election.

They further said he was a registered, card-carrying SLPP member in the Grand Chief Patron category, with party dues paid through 2028.

Conference participation cited

The lawyers also said Tarawally was accredited as a national delegate and voted at the SLPP’s 2025 National Delegates Conference, where Songa was elected chairman.

They argued that Tarawally’s accreditation and participation, together with the party’s acceptance of his dues, recognised his membership.

Jengo, Sam & Partners also cited a September 18 statement attributed to four CDP regional chairmen. The lawyers said the chairmen stated that Tarawally was no longer a member of the CDP and disputed a letter from the party’s secretary-general concerning his membership status.

Warning of further action

The lawyers warned that they had instructions to pursue further action if their demands were not met within seven days. The possible steps include a criminal complaint under the Cyber Security and Crime Act, a civil claim for libel and complaints to the Political Parties Regulation Commission and relevant SLPP bodies.

They also reserved the option of seeking remedies through regional human rights institutions.

The claims regarding Tarawally’s membership, as well as allegations of cyber bullying, defamation and breaches of party rules, remain attributed to the lawyers. No court, disciplinary body or regulatory institution ruling on the dispute was included, and Songa’s response was not provided.