Recent allegations regarding Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea, Alimamy Hassan Bangura, assert that he is under house arrest due to a cocaine scandal involving his vehicle. Investigation reveals that these claims are false, with confirmed amounts of drugs and money being significantly less than reported. Officials seek to assure the public that a thorough investigation is in progress to uncover the facts surrounding the incident.
On January 13, 2025, the government of Guinea apprehended a vehicle belonging to the Sierra Leone Embassy in Conakry due to suspicions of cocaine possession. Following this incident, the Gleaner newspaper posted on social media claims that Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Guinea was under house arrest after his driver was found with significant amounts of cocaine and cash in the vehicle.
The report mentioned that Sierra Leone’s Ambassador, Alimamy Hassan Bangura, was implicated in a scandal involving the arrest of his driver with over 380 kilograms of cocaine and $100,000. This allegation triggered reactions in Sierra Leone, with citizens demanding clarity and transparency regarding the investigation.
DUBAWA investigated these claims and contacted the Gleaner for evidence, which has yet to be provided. Minister Timothy Kabba stated that the actual findings included seven suitcases of drugs and only $2,000, and he confirmed that the ambassador was not under house arrest but rather in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Kabba underscored that a thorough investigation into the incident was underway, aiming to elucidate how the illicit substances became associated with the embassy vehicle. Furthermore, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, confirmed the lack of evidence for the claims and called for public trust in the government’s handling of the situation.
The controversy began when the Guinean government informed Sierra Leone of an impounded embassy vehicle, leading to the arrest of the driver for drug-related offenses. Social media claims intensified with reports from the Gleaner stating that the Sierra Leone Ambassador was facing house arrest due to the incident. These claims led to public outrage and demands for accountability regarding the ambassador’s involvement. DUBAWA, a media literacy organization, decided to verify these claims, recognizing the impactful nature of such allegations on Sierra Leone’s diplomatic standing. The investigation involved contacting relevant authorities to ascertain the truth behind the reported drug scandal and alleged governmental inaction.
The investigation conducted by DUBAWA revealed that while there is a drug-related scandal involving the Sierra Leone Embassy vehicle, the claims regarding Ambassador Alimamy Hassan Bangura being under house arrest are unfounded. The accurate details indicate the discovery of minor amounts of drugs and cash, contrasting sharply with the sensationalized reports. It is essential for the public to remain calm and trust the authorities as they conduct further investigations into this matter.
Original Source: dubawa.org
