Sierra Leone’s immigration chief was fired after a video surfaced showing him accepting a gift from drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers. The video raises concerns about political connections to the drug trade, implicating high-ranking officials. Leijdekkers, wanted in Europe, remains at large in Sierra Leone, leading to accusations of government collusion with criminals.
Sierra Leone’s chief immigration officer was dismissed following the release of a video showing him accepting a gift from a notorious drug trafficker, Jos Leijdekkers. The video, posted by investigative website Follow the Money, depicts Alusine Kanneh accepting the gift at a party and laughing with Leijdekkers, who is a fugitive Dutch cocaine lord believed to be hiding in Sierra Leone.
Speculation arose regarding Leijdekkers’ connections to the Sierra Leone political elite, including a relationship with President Julius Maada Bio’s daughter. Images from the video also feature Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, present at the event. This suggests a possible collusion between drug trafficking and political figures in the country.
Following the video’s release, Kanneh was fired by President Bio, who chose not to disclose the reason behind his dismissal. According to Information Minister Chernor Bah, the president asserts his constitutional authority to make such decisions based on his prerogatives.
Leijdekkers, also known as “Omar Sheriff,” is identified by Europol as a significant figure in the international cocaine trade. Suspicions about his presence in Sierra Leone gained traction after the First Lady, Fatima Bio, shared social media content resembling him at a religious event attended by the president.
Opposition figure Mohamed Mansaray has accused the Bio administration of granting refuge to Leijdekkers, linking his activities to the president’s family. Last June, a Dutch court sentenced Leijdekkers in absentia to 24 years in prison for orchestrating a murder and facilitating seven tons of cocaine transport. Europol has also placed a €200,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
Despite the launch of a police “manhunt” for Leijdekkers in early February, there have been no updates on the search. Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel has engaged with the Sierra Leonean government regarding Leijdekkers’ case, noting strong evidence of his presence in Sierra Leone and emphasizing that criminals should not operate unchecked in any country.
In summary, the dismissal of Sierra Leone’s chief immigration officer underscores the serious implications of drug trafficking entanglement within political structures. The backlash from the video featuring Kanneh and Leijdekkers raises questions about the government’s role in harboring criminals. Leijdekkers remains a fugitive, with ongoing efforts to apprehend him in Sierra Leone, highlighting the challenges of combating drug trade in West Africa.
Original Source: punchng.com
