By Mohamed Konneh
It was a joy for pardoned inmate to walk out of the Prison gate at Pademba Road but in pain as he was glue to a wheelchair unable to walk. Alusine Kamara was seen on a wheelchair as he steps 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 been convicted and sentenced for seventeen years.
Alusine went to prison as a complete human being with his vital muscles working properly.
His incarceration for the last eight years has left him paralysed and could only move with the aid of a wheelchair.
“I was a complete man 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 is among 352 convicted inmates pardoned under the presidential clemency on 2024 New Year.
The pardoned convict has spent eight years but continue to struggle with his health.
Alusine said he started experiencing the collapsed of his legs and experiencing a nervous breakdown after five years of in jail.
“I could not say much but to say thanks to the President for pardoning me” he said.
On January 1st this year, 352 inmates were pardoned from across the country. Among those pardoned 341 were male and 11 females.
Both the male Correctional centre in Freetown and Mafanta enjoyed the big figures each having 42 inmates pardoned.
This year also saw Sierra Leone Hip Hop Star and musician Alhaji Amadu Bah commonly known as LAJ been pardoned by the President.