By Joseph Lahai
Report reaching this medium indicates that a former senior truck driver of African Minerals Mining Company operating in Tonkoliki district, north of Sierra Leone Ishmael Janneh has been declared wanted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police for his alleged involvement in gay-related activities.
Sources at the CID state that Janneh and few others including a senior official of African Minerals Mining Company Mr Brown established an organization that comprises men practising gay and bisexual contrary to the laws of the country.
In Sierra Leone, anyone arrested, charged to court for gay-related activities and found guilty will face life imprisonment with hard labour.
Janneh who was described as a gay activist has been the ring leader, campaigning vigorously for the legalization of gay and bisexual activities in Sierra Leone.
As the leader of the gay activists, Organization Janneh engaged the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Allieu Pat Sowe to use his influence to persuade his colleague cabinet Ministers for the legalization of gay.
The investigating officer at the CID, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Musa Dauda told this medium that Janneh and his colleagues held a secret meeting to work out the modalities to officially invite the Minister for him to see their strength and see the need to persuade his colleagues to amend the law in their favour so that they can practice gay without any hindrance.
“It was during the meeting that the police were informed and they had to rush to the scene. We succeeded in arresting five activists excluding Janneh and his boss Mr Brown who is an American citizen,” ASP Dauda said.
He said after a fruitless endeavour to invite them to the police station failed, the CID leadership decided to issue a warrant of arrest for the ring leaders of the organization including Ishmael Janneh, Mr Brown and Mohamed Sawaneh. Since the announcement of the warrant, the whereabouts of Janneh remains unknown.
It could be recalled that Janneh had a serious issue with members of the Poro society members in Kenema town, east of Sierra Leone early this year where he was forcefully arrested and initiated against his wish. Janneh according to the report explained everything to the public which did not go down well with the leaders of this secret society.
They however threatened to kill him if seen for exposing the tradition and culture of the Poro society. Since his life is under serious threat, Janneh decided to seek refuge to an unknown destination for fear of his life.
A senior family member, Alhaji Mohamed Janneh has however expressed serious concern about his safety. Both members of the Poro society in Kenema and the police have declared Ishmael Janneh and others wanted.
