TAQI, IBRAHIM BASH

Ibrahim Bash Taqi (September 18, 1931-July 1975) was a journalist and politician. His forceful journalism, particularly as a columnist for We Yone, an organ of the All People’s Congress, (A.P.C.) contributed significantly to the fall in popularity of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (S.L.P.P.) in the 1967 general elections.

PHOTO CAPTION: Ibrahim Bash Taqi. SOURCE: Sierra Express Media.

Taqi was born at Ropolo, Tane chiefdom, in Tonkolili district. He was educated at the Prince of Wales School, Freetown and then at Ibadan University, Nigeria, and at Heidelberg University in the Federal Republic of Germany.

In March 1967, he was elected to Parliament as member for Freetown East I constituency, and was sworn in as minister of information in the government of Siaka Stevens, Leader of the All People’s Congress.(A.P.C.). The National Reformation Council military regime intervened, however, and civilian rule was halted. When it resumed in 1968, Taqi became a government back bencher until he was appointed minister of information and broadcasting in April 1969.

In September 1970, he was arrested and detained under public emergency regulations after he had resigned from the A.P.C. and joined the newly formed opposition party, the United Democratic Party (U.D.P.).

After his release in 1973, he was re-arrested in 1974 and charged with treason in the case of Forna and 14 others. He was convicted and executed at Pademba Road Prisons in July 1975.

CYRIL P. FORAY