Sierra Leone President fires Immigration Chief over ties to Jos Leijdekkers
Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has dismissed Alusine Kanneh as Chief Immigration Officer following controversy over his alleged association with Jos Leijdekkers, a Dutch drug kingpin wanted by the Netherlands. The announcement, made by Secretary to the President Dr. Emmanuel A.R. Gaima, confirmed Kanneh's immediate replacement by Moses Tiffa Baio.
A statement from local news site Sierraloaded confirmed the appointment of Baio and Kanneh’s departure. The reason for Kanneh's removal was not specified, but it follows growing public concern after a video surfaced showing him receiving a birthday gift from Leijdekkers.
Leijdekkers, who was convicted in the Netherlands for serious crimes including cocaine trafficking and orchestrating a murder, remains a fugitive. Dutch authorities have been investigating his activities, with Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel confirming earlier that he has communicated with his Sierra Leonean counterpart regarding Leijdekkers’s presence in Sierra Leone and the Netherlands’ extradition request. Leijdekkers is serving a 24-year sentence in absentia for his criminal involvement.
Moses Tiffa Baio, who assumes the position of Chief Immigration Officer, will be tasked with overseeing Sierra Leone’s immigration policies and contributing to the country's national development goals.
