By Alhaji Turay
The increasing reports of isolated attacks and killing on person’s found to be gay , lesbians, bisexual and transgender LGBT seem to have no end in sight as the recent case of issa mansaray, aged 27 of, 71 Campbell Street, central part of Freetown depicted.
News intimated this press revealed that on September 24, 2023, fatmata kamara, who is the girlfriend to issa mansaray, accompanied by community stakeholders, arrived in Adelayed street police station, in Freetown, and Reported that on 24th September 2023, at his residence, where issa mansaray used to meet with her, issa mansaray of the same adress was caught red-handed having sexual intercourse to wit gay (Homosexuality) with a male counter part, by the name of Albert Will aged 29 of the same address, Campbell Street, in the central part of Freetown, right inside chairman foday kanu bedroom,she further stated that upon seeing such and indecent and sinful act, she raised alarm and informed community stakeholders including the parents of issa mansaray, who alerted the community stakeholders and youths to go after both suspects Albert Will and issa mansaray was apprehend for the offence they have committed which is a felonious offence and not acceptable in Sierra Leone. The youths then rushed at the scene and started beating up both suspects with sticks and other offensive weapons, in the interim suspects Albert managed to escape from the violent crowd, whilst the other suspect issa mansaray was lying helplessly on the ground.
The following morning hours, on the 25th, September 2023 , fatmata kamara, together with community members, then went to the police and reported the matter.
On receipt of this report, statement were obtained from complainant and her witnesses, a group of police personnel including the scene of crime officer (Soco) where dispatched to the scene onboard police vehicle with registration number SLP 215, on arrival at the scene, both suspect Albert and issa were nowhere to be found.
The police were reliably informed that both suspects having fled the country and went on hiding on an unknown destination, A police invitation for both suspects was issued to their relatives in order for them to report to the station the following day, For questioning in respect of the allegations levied against them which they deliberately failed to honor. Few days later, on the 29th september, 2023, the police also went to the scene again in search of the suspects, but they were informed that, suspects Albert has fled the community and ran away to neighboring Guinea and while the other suspect issa mansaray is nowhere to be found. Due to that, the police has declared both suspects Albert and issa wanted, a warrant of arrest been put in force for them in respect of the offence of Homosexuality to wit Gay which they have committed, as such offence is illegal in Sierra Leone, and anyone caught in such act should face the consequences. Albert, whose profession is an Athlete’s in Sierra Leone in the sporting area, has come under serious intimadation and harassment from members of his family and the community heads, after being caught practicing homosexuality in male partner in someone matrimonial home.
According to sources from Albert Mother Mrs, Lizzy told this medium that since childhood, Albert started practising gay on being knowing of his elder brother and family members. Albert was caught by one fatmata kamara, the girlfriend of his male partner practicing homosexuality, Both family member’s stakeholders and the community youth have mounted a round clock search for Albert and his partner issa, who is now declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police.
Albert hails from a strong Christianity homes and his father is a Catholic at the saint perish church, at syke street, Freetown, He was raised by a strong Christian family and they did not expected him to practice this act especially when his family was well known by members of the community as religious people and strict Christian family.
Both national and religious laws in the country totally forbid individuals from practising such acts. Family and community members were completely disappointed at Albert and his partner Actions, which noted Goes contrary to their customs and traditions. Albert seems
very secretive about his sexual orientation before he was caught.
On the 24th September,2023, the girlfriend of issa mansaray caught issa having sexual intercourse with his male counter part, Albert Will at Chairman foday kanu home which the girlfriend called community members decided to take the laws into their hands together with physically and violently attacking, issa and partner, Albert at the place of seeing during the process issa and his partner were fortunate to escape for there lives.
After his successful escape, Albert tried to go home and he was approached by his friend who informed him about how members of the community including some of his family members are planning to eliminate him because he has not only embarrassed and disgraced them but has also flouted the customs and traditions of the land and going against what the family believes in, and as such was described as the black sheep of the family, As he was declared wanted.
This medium also learned that members of the community were against his lifestyle of which they were pointing fingers at them which nearly led him to commit suicide.
It was also understand that this irate community members stormed the residence of issa mansaray and Albert Will, based on an intelligence they purportedly received that he has returned to his residence which in actual facts turned out to be false. Since then No one’s knows the whereabouts of issa and Albert, which it is believed that both the police and that of the community members are still angrily hunting them.
This medium contacted the wife of Albert Will, Mrs Esther Turay (Nee Will), told this medium, that what happened in the first place by calling community stakeholders to drawn their attention of the ugly incident that took place, it was not fear, that no matter what happened, he is my husband, that, community elders should have solved the menace , now see how the incident has turn into now, my husband has disappeared for months now, and we have a daughter, Onita Will, and she is our only daughter for now, i love my husband, and I really want to see my husband, and up to date i did not know the whereabouts of my husband.
Esther, continued said, that few days ago, I got a called from the police, to report to the criminal investigation department (CID) to produced my husband, that I knew my husband whereabouts that if I did not produce my husband I will got arrested, including community stakeholders also got accused me of knowing my husband whereabouts, with frustrated mood.
Field S Lawrence, the coursin of Albert Will, who is the country best runner, was also invited by the police for questioning.
According to Sierra Leone laws lesbian and gay acts are totally discouraged. the Sierra Leone constitution stated that anyone caught in the practice must face a sentence of life imprisonment with hard labor.
