Opposition Leader Questions Government Silence on Drug Suspect, Diplomatic Passport Scandal

Opposition Leader Questions Government Silence on Drug Suspect, Diplomatic Passport Scandal

Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and senior member of the All People’s Congress (APC), has questioned the government over its handling of a high-profile drug suspect and the alleged misuse of Sierra Leonean diplomatic passports.

Kargbo’s concerns come amid reports that a Turkish drug convict, Jos Leijdekkers also known locally as Umarr Sheriff was found in possession of a Sierra Leonean diplomatic passport. He criticized the government for not publicly declaring the suspect wanted, despite acknowledging his identity.

“The Netherlands government sent Sierra Leonean authorities a picture of Jos Leijdekkers, but the government has yet to issue an official notice naming him,” Kargbo said. He questioned why the government publicly declares some suspects wanted while keeping others, like Leijdekkers, off the radar.

The opposition leader also raised concerns over a recent incident involving the discovery of bags of cocaine in an official government vehicle linked to Sierra Leone’s embassy in Guinea. He warned that the misuse of diplomatic passports for criminal activities damages the country’s international reputation and affects all legitimate passport holders.

Kargbo called on the police to urgently issue a press statement declaring Leijdekkers wanted and urged the government to conduct a full audit of the diplomatic passport issuance process.

“The government must show commitment to fighting drugs by extraditing the drug lord reportedly in Sierra Leone,” Kargbo added, emphasizing that these issues are serious and should not be taken lightly.