Prominent Sierra Leonean politician, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has on Monday 16 October 2023, taken legal action by filing a Writ of Summons at the High Court of Sierra Leone against several individuals associated with the European Union Elections Observation Mission (EU-EOM).
This legal move is in response to what she claims are malicious and defamatory statements made against her in the impugned EU-EOM Report, which released on Tuesday 10th October, 2023. According to Dr. Blyden, the report criminalised the relationship between her “a member of the main opposition APC” and SLPP’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio.
“I have just filed a WRIT OF SUMMONS at the High Court of Sierra Leone against Chief Observer Evin Incir, Deputy Chief Observer Inta Lase, Social Media Analyst Lukasz Wilda Domaradzki, Legal Analyst Sylvian Ollier and the European Union Elections Observation Mission (EU-EOM) itself for their malicious, defamatory publications against me,” Dr. Blyden stated.
The former government minister is resolute in her pursuit of justice and has expressed her expectation that diplomatic immunity claims will not obstruct her efforts.
These legal papers, filed in Freetown, mark the beginning of a series of steps she intends to take to protect her reputation.
Dr. Blyden has also stated her intention to seek a restoration of her rights through the European Court of Human Rights in France.
A more comprehensive press statement, addressing legal and other pertinent issues, is expected to be released later in the week.
Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has taken a proactive stance to address the allegations against her and is determined to defend her reputation.