Willie Jay and Star Zero to be united

The United Sierra Leone Initiative and its partners, would like to announce that it has reached an agreement ‘’in principle’’ between Ms Wilhelmina John otherwise known as Willie Jay and Ms Linda Samai otherwise known as Star Zero for a peaceful settlement of their disputes to avoid the ongoing legal proceedings for alleged libelous and defamatory suit against Star Zero for some lyrics used in a song offensive to Willie Jay.

The settlement included an undisclosed joint United Sierra Leone Mutual Agreement between Willie Jay and Star Zero, unanimously approved by their respective lawyers. Parties shall continue to comply with their respective obligations under the ten (10) point Mutual Agreement, in order to pave the way for the case to be withdrawn from court, on or before the next court hearing date.

In their draft statements, previewed by their lawyers and the Chief Mediator at the United Sierra Leone Initiative, Star Zero and Willie Jay emphasized that a peaceful settlement is in the interest of all parties and acknowledged that the dispute was a regretful situation, and agreed to retract offensive comments, registered profound apologies, to restore mutual understanding and respect, to work together as united sisters, and to ‘’Let bygones be bygones’’, subject to the ten (10) point United Sierra Leone Mutual Agreement. They agreed wholeheartedly to settle their misunderstanding once and for all, and be positive role models for our children.

“Without prejudice to any ongoing legal proceedings, we believe the end result of this settlement to be a victory for not only Willie Jay and Star Zero, but for us all and to end impunity and rightfully protect their reputation and in the public interest to stop the increasing lack of personal responsibility and disunity seen in some sections of the music and entertainment industry in terms of irresponsible attacks and offensive songs that are often made”, said Mr. Messeh Leone, Legal Commentator and Chief Mediator at the United Sierra Leone Initiative. “While we certainly are proponents of free speech, and strong supporters of seeking redress through the justice system, we will never tolerate the ‘’old trickle-down, divisive ideology’’ and senseless disputes in our society and our actions in this case certainly attest to that philosophy.”

Mr Milton A.S Koker otherwise known as Colabo, President of Union of Musicians (All Stars) said, ‘’ this is a great moment and a sigh of huge relief for us all in the music and entertainment industry and for the benefit of the public. I urge Willie Jay and Star Zero to accept unity and work together again for the sake of our industry, and to register sincere apologies for the wrong that may have been caused. We should not think this is a negotiation, but a peaceful resolution (ego aside). All we want is unity and an end to the disputes and nothing short of it. This is another strong justification for Government to quickly enact an Act of Parliament to establish an independent human rights based approach Censorship Board and legal Code of Conducts, to protect our artists and the public from unlawful personal attacks, and prevent a recurrence of such unfortunate situation that undermines the prosperity and good image of our promising industry’’.

A High Level Panel of Eminent Persons including music and entertainment stakeholders, media representatives, religious and community leaders and other organisations are being invited to participate in a high level United Sierra Leone Meeting and Press Briefings, to be held on Monday, 10June 2013, at the office of the Messeh Leone Foundation, 14 Small Waterloo Street, Freetown at 11:30am. The United Sierra Leone will ensure accuracy in the process, economy of time, order, uniformity and impartiality, and enhance the transaction of a peaceful resolution. All parties should have the privilege and freedom of voicing their opinions, which will feed into a united declaration report on the position of the music and entertainment industry.

We are pleased to announce that United Sierra Leone Initiative’s Goodwill Ambassador, Dr Adonis Abboud will moderate and deliver the keynote address at this meeting. Both Willie Jay and Star Zero and their respective lawyers have been invited to participate in this meeting and to officially deliver their statements. Star Zero and Willie Jay have also both agreed to participate and contribute to the United Sierra Leone National Music Album Project, featuring various artists including Mr. Jimmy Bangura otherwise known as Jimmy B (the proud pioneer of modern Sierra Leone music).

This peace process is being sponsored and supported by the United Sierra Leone Initiative and spearhead by a number of dedicated institutions and individuals such as the Union of Musicians (All Stars), National Copyright Committee, Salone Jamboree, Cassette Sellers Association, Freetown Players, Messeh Leone Foundation, Universal Image Movie Star, Paradise Group, Leone Entertainment, Messeh Partnership Trust, the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Youth Affairs, and other key stakeholders in the media and music industry.

United Sierra Leone appreciates the invaluable support of their respective lawyers Lornard Taylor, Julian Cole, Feio Edwards, Osman Timbo, Radcliffe Jones, Emmanuel Abdulai, Ibrahim Sorie Koroma, and Karrow Kamara, for their positive and unbiased contributions in moving this process forward.

United Sierra Leone Initiative

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