Prominent lawyer Basita Michael is calling for an open and transparent investigation into serious allegations against Ahmad Basha, a 57-year-old Lebanese businessman and CEO of Basha Restaurant, accused of sexually exploiting three underage girls in Freetown.

Initial reports claim Basha confined three 15-year-old girls in his home for a week, allegedly drugging them and engaging in sexual acts. He is also accused of locking them inside whenever he left for work.

Reacting to the case on her Facebook page, Michael urged the police to treat the investigation with “utmost seriousness, transparency, and timeliness.” She expressed concern over the justice system’s “troubling reputation for shielding the wealthy and powerful,” and emphasized the importance of putting “the best interests of the child” first, in line with national laws and international obligations.

In an interview with Liberty TV Online, the victims’ families called on the First Lady, the Inspector General of Police, and other officials to ensure a fair and unbiased probe.