Sierra Leone Dismisses Immigration Chief Amid Drug Trafficking Scandal

Sierra Leone’s immigration chief, Alusine Kanneh, was fired after a video surfaced of him accepting a gift from drug lord Jos Leijdekkers. The incident raises concerns over corruption within the political elite, especially regarding Leijdekkers’ ties to President Julius Maada Bio’s administration. A manhunt for Leijdekkers is ongoing, amidst accusations of governmental negligence in handling the drug trade.

Sierra Leone’s chief immigration officer, Alusine Kanneh, was dismissed hours after a video surfaced showing him accepting a gift from Jos Leijdekkers, a notorious drug trafficker. The footage, released by the investigative website Follow the Money, depicted Kanneh laughing at a gathering where the fugitive Dutch trafficker was present. Previous images suggested a connection between Leijdekkers and high-ranking officials, including President Julius Maada Bio, insinuating his influence over the political elite.

In the same video, Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), was also seen among the festivities with Leijdekkers. The website believes the event took place the previous year. On the day the video was made public, President Bio took the constitutional step of firing Kanneh, as stated by Information Minister Chernor Bah, who did not clarify the reasoning behind the dismissal.

Leijdekkers, nicknamed “Chubby Jos,” is identified by Europol as a significant player in the international cocaine trade. Speculation regarding his presence in Sierra Leone intensified after the First Lady, Fatima Bio, posted social media content that featured an individual resembling Leijdekkers at a religious service attended by President Bio. Exiled opposition leader Mohamed Mansaray accused the Bio administration of sheltering the drug lord, noting Leijdekkers’ association with the President’s daughter, Agnes.

In absentia, Leijdekkers was sentenced to 24 years in prison by a Rotterdam court for orchestrating a murder and arranging the transport of seven tonnes of cocaine. Europol is offering a reward of 200,000 euros (approximately $208,000) for information leading to his capture. Early this year, Sierra Leone’s police initiated a manhunt for him but have yet to provide updates. Meanwhile, Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel indicated on social media that he discussed this case with his Sierra Leonean counterpart, stressing the importance of not allowing criminals to operate freely. The West African region is critical for cocaine traffickers transporting drugs from Latin America to European markets.

In summary, the dismissal of Sierra Leone’s chief immigration officer, Alusine Kanneh, follows his controversial association with drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, raising serious concerns about corruption and criminal influence within the Sierra Leonean political system. The ongoing search for Leijdekkers, alongside the allegations against President Bio’s administration, highlights the broader issue of drug trafficking in West Africa and the implications for governance and legal accountability in the region.

Original Source: punchng.com