Sylvia Blyden Files Complaint Against Liberty TV Online and Zainab Sheriff

APC politician and former government minister Sylvia Olayinka Blyden has formally initiated regulatory action against Liberty TV Online and public figure Zainab Sheriff, over statements she describes as false, defamatory, and damaging to her reputation.

In a sworn ten-page affidavit filed on Wednesday 7th January 2026, before the Complaints Committee of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) and deposed at the Law Courts in Freetown, Blyden accused Liberty TV Online of breaching several provisions of the Independent Media Commission Act of 2020 and the IMC Print and Electronic Media Regulations of 2022. The filing represents her first official step in seeking redress through regulatory channels.

According to the affidavit, Blyden alleges that Liberty TV Online published and broadcast untrue and abusive content originating from remarks made by Zainab Sheriff, leader of the Yeabu Zainab Sheriff–led Wi Duty – The Lappa Movement. The statements reportedly questioned Blyden’s integrity and competence as a public figure and were aired during discussions on national leadership and political participation.

Blyden’s complaint cites alleged violations including the dissemination of untrue information, publication of smear material, abusive content, and failure to exercise due care in a sensitive political context. She is seeking regulatory sanctions, including possible financial penalties, against Liberty TV Online for what she describes as unprofessional conduct.

Earlier, Blyden publicly acknowledged Truth Media for removing a short extract of the disputed content from its platform, describing the material as “lies.” She warned media institutions against what she characterized as irresponsible journalism, cautioning that continued misrepresentation would attract legal consequences.

In the affidavit, Blyden also referenced Abubakarr Jah, identified as a nephew of Zainab Sheriff, in relation to events surrounding public communications made in April 2023. She said his role forms part of the factual background presented to the Commission.

The complaint further refers to a June 2025 incident in which Zainab Sheriff allegedly made public remarks questioning Blyden’s leadership credentials. Blyden contends that the remarks, when amplified by media platforms and affiliated bloggers, amounted to a coordinated effort to damage her reputation.

As of the time of publication, Liberty TV Online has not issued an official response to the complaint, while Zainab Sheriff has also not publicly commented. The Independent Media Commission is expected to review the matter in line with its statutory mandate.

The development has renewed public debate on media responsibility, political discourse, and accountability within Sierra Leone’s democratic space.