Freetown, Sierra Leone – The Government of Sierra Leone has, for the first time, publicly acknowledged that Dutch fugitive and alleged cocaine kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, also known as “Bolle Jos,” is currently in the country.
The revelation came during a press briefing by Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernoh Bah, who confirmed that the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice is working with international partners to facilitate Leijdekkers’ extradition to the Netherlands.
“The Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice is working closely with the Dutch authorities and other international partners to expedite the extradition process,” Minister Bah stated. “This will be done in full compliance with Sierra Leone’s laws and commitment to the rule of law.”
Leijdekkers, who is on Europe’s most wanted list, is accused of leading one of the continent’s largest cocaine trafficking networks and has been on the run for years.
His alleged presence in Sierra Leone has sparked widespread public concern and renewed scrutiny of the country’s security and diplomatic systems.
Responding to questions about reports that foreign criminals may have obtained Sierra Leonean diplomatic passports, Minister Bah said the government has launched a full-scale investigation into the matter.
“The government is investigating the issue to establish the facts,” he confirmed. “It is important for the public to understand that anyone may choose to engage in criminal activity, but the Government of Sierra Leone does not and will never knowingly issue passports to criminals.”
Meanwhile, Zacharia Jalloh** of the government’s Strategic Communications Unit reiterated the minister’s comments in a message circulated via the ministry’s official WhatsApp channel.
The public now awaits updates on both the extradition of Jos Leijdekkers and the ongoing investigation into the alleged misuse of Sierra Leonean diplomatic documents.
The gov’t initially denied the presence of this fugitive in S/Leone. And that the name of this fugitive differs from that of the dutch gov’t. Ah salone
The Bio regime must not be trusted in any way. This talk of extradition is just a ploy to buy time while they (Bio & his government) are also working out plans that would make it seem like Bills Jis has been killed or relocate him to a remote area of Sierra Leone which is already under construction. Why is Bio being recalcitrant to honor the recommendations of the Tripartite? Or handover power peacefully? It is because, he believes if he hands over power now, his son-in-law, Bolle Jos won’t be safe. This is one amongst many other reasons why he has been dragging us feet in the peaceful transition of power.