Sierra Leone’s chief immigration officer, Alusine Kanneh, was dismissed shortly after a video surfaced showing him accepting a gift from fugitive Dutch drug trafficker Jos Leijdekkers, widely known as “Chubby Jos.”

An investigative platform released the footage, which captured Kanneh laughing at a party while receiving the gift.

The video also featured Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, head of Sierra Leone’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), present at the event, which is believed to have taken place last year. 

Government officials confirmed Kanneh’s removal, with Information Minister Chernor Bah stating that President Julius Maada Bio acted within his constitutional powers to hire and fire officials as he deemed fit.

The scandal has fueled speculation about Leijdekkers’ connections with Sierra Leone’s political elite, including the president’s daughter.

Opposition figure Mohamed Mansaray alleged that the drug lord had been offered refuge by the government and was in a relationship with Agnes Bio.

Meanwhile, Dutch authorities remain convinced that Leijdekkers is hiding in Sierra Leone, and Europol continues its search, offering a €200,000 reward for information leading to his capture.