By Abdulrahman Kamara
Reports from eastern suburbs of Freetown, state that one Aminata Turay, residing at Allen Town, narrowly escaped lynching at the hands of angry youths and community people, after being caught in the act of lesbianism, an illegal act condemned by both religious faiths in the country and an offense against the state.
According to residents in the area, Aminata Turay has been seen regularly with her friend, Michealla Thompson, but no one had the slightest idea that they were both lesbians. Family members say that they were of the belief that they were simply close friends from school days, and that this friendship had continued. They disclosed that Michealla Thompson has been a regular visitor to their house, and would often help Aminata do her domestic chores.
Family sources disclosed that on January 20, 2023, Aminata Turay and her ‘partner in crime’ (as Michealla Thompson was described), were caught making love naked in her room by her cousin, Haja Sesay, who accidentally bumped into the room to collect her phone, which she had left in Aminata’s room. Upon entering the room, she discovered both Aminata and Michealla naked, and shocked by the scene, she raised an alarm, which brought neighbors and area youths to the house.
Haja Sessy told this is that though her phone was in Aminata’s room, but her attention was drawn there by the groanings coming from the room. She disclosed that as people stormed the house, Aminata and Michealla managed to escape through the back door of the house and climbed over the surrounding fence into a nearby bush, where they made good their escape, but not without receiving some heavy blows from the youths. She disclosed that news of Aminata’s action quickly spread in the community, reaching the police in the community. A search was mounted by the police to get both Aminata and Michealla arrested, but to no avail.
Police sources say that they now have a warrant of arrest for both ladies, and were looking for them. They appealed to residents in the area to relay any information about the whereabouts of Aminata and her partner.
Same sex activities are illegal in Sierra Leone, and condemned by the religious faiths in the country, as well as by traditional people as demonic, and people caught in the act are to be eliminated or handed over to the police. There has been unconfirmed reports of some people caught in the act being taken to traditional priest for cleansing, and these have never been seen or heard from. Even advocates for same sex legalization have not been spared.
As we go to press, the whereabouts of Aminata Turay or her partner are still unknown.
