By: Sulaiman Stom Koroma
A new topic for discussion has surfaced following claims made by journalist Josef Skrdlik from African Confidential, linking the purchase of houses in the US by the Chief Immigration Officer, Alusine Kanneh, to unexplained wealth and potential connections to the notorious drug lord Jos Leijdekkers.
Between 2022 and 2024, Kanneh is alleged to have purchased properties worth $1.9 million, a substantial amount for a civil servant, where public salaries in Sierra Leone are known to be relatively low. Skrdlik’s social media post suggests that Kanneh’s sudden accumulation of wealth may be connected to his association with Jos Leijdekkers, who is believed to be a prominent figure in the drug trade in West Africa and other parts of the world. He is also a wanted fugitive in the Netherlands.
In a video circulating on social media which is believed to be in 2022, Kanneh was reportedly seen intervening in a physical altercation where Jos Leijdekkers was also present. The video raises suspicions about the extent of Kanneh’s involvement with Leijdekkers, who is suspected of orchestrating large-scale drug trafficking operations in the region.
Since 2007, Sierra Leone has struggled with the issue of unexplained wealth, particularly among public officials. The rapid accumulation of riches by politicians and government employees, often in the form of high-end properties, has raised alarm bells, laying bare the question of whether this wealth is a result of legitimate means or if it’s linked to corruption, criminal activities, or even drug trafficking, as with recent involvement of a utility vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leone embassy in Guinea.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has promised to enforce the declaration of assets by public officials, but the public remains sceptical about the effectiveness of such measures. Many are now calling for a full investigation into Kanneh’s financial activities and his alleged connections to Leijdekkers, demanding that the ACC take swift action to uncover the truth.
Many are eager to know how Kanneh, a government official, could allegedly purchase multiple properties worth millions of dollars in just a few years, especially given his current salary. Josef’s post has brought the issue of corruption and illicit financial flows back into the spotlight, with many questioning whether Kanneh’s rise to wealth is tied to political favours, alleged criminal ties, or illegal dealings.
The outcome of these allegations will likely have far-reaching implications for Sierra Leone’s ongoing battle with corruption and its efforts to root out the influence of the drug trade on its political and economic systems.
