Gambiaj.com – (Freetown, Sierra Leone) – Dutch fugitive Jos Leijdekkers, one of Europe’s most wanted criminals, had been living in Sierra Leone for six months undetected. However, his appearance alongside members of the presidential family during the New Year’s holiday has ignited controversy and raised concerns over the country’s vulnerability to organized crime.

Leijdekkers, known as “Bolle Jos,” was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison for his role in trafficking more than seven tons of cocaine.

Despite his fugitive status, he was seen on New Year’s Day attending a mass, seated near a woman identified as the daughter of Sierra Leonean President Julius Maada Bio, while the president himself was just two rows ahead.

The Sierra Leonean government has swiftly distanced itself from the fugitive. In a statement issued on January 31, the Minister of Information defended the situation, stating that during the holiday season, it is customary for the president to be photographed with various individuals, often without prior knowledge of their identities.

This scandal comes in the wake of another high-profile incident involving drug trafficking. On January 17, the Sierra Leonean ambassador to Guinea was recalled after authorities discovered seven suitcases suspected of containing cocaine in his vehicle.

These developments have intensified pressure from civil society groups, which are now calling for the establishment of an independent commission of inquiry to investigate possible links between organized crime and state institutions.

In response to growing concerns, the government has pledged full cooperation with Dutch authorities and other international agencies to prevent Sierra Leone from becoming a safe haven for criminals. The case highlights the increasing scrutiny on the country’s security measures and its commitment to combating transnational crime.