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 Lansana martin Marah who was born in Fankaia village, kabala town, koinadugu district, depicted.
News intimated this press revealed that on Sunday 8th December 2019, at Gbawuria 1, koinadugu, district isatu Marah of kabala Town, Gbawuria 1, koinadugu, northern of Sierra Leone accompanied by her parents, arrived in Kabala Town police station, and Reported that on Saturday 7th December 2019, at her residence, Gbawuria1, her husband Lansana martin Marah of the same adress was caught red-handed having sexual intercourse to wit gay (Homosexuality) with a male counter part by the name of yembeh mansaray of the same kabala Town right inside their bedroom, she further stated that upon seeing such and indecent and sinful act, she raised alarm and informed her parents who alerted the community stakeholders and youths to go after both suspects Lansana martin Marah and Yembeh mansaray and apprehend them 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, stones and other offensive weapons, in the interim suspects Lansana martin Marah managed to escape from the violent crowd, whilst the other suspect yembeh mansaray was lying there helplessly on the ground. The following morning, on Sunday’s 9th December 2019, isatu Marah, together with her parents, 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 Lansana and Yembeh were nowhere to be found. The police were reliably informed that both suspects having fled the community and went on hiding 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 12th December 2019, the police went to the scene again in search of the suspects, but they were informed that suspects Lansana martin Marah has fled the community and ran away to neighboring Guinea and that the other suspect yembeh mansaray is nowhere to be found. Due to that, the police has declared both suspects Lansana and Yembeh 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. Lansana who is doing an okada bike rider business at kabala Town district has come under serious intimadation and harassment from members of his family and the community heads after being caught practicing homosexuality with his male partner in his own matrimonial home. According to sources from Lansana Marah mother Mrs musu tarawalie told this medium that since childhood, she haven’s noticed her son Lansana of starting practicing gay or even being knowingly of his elder brother and family members. Lansana was caught by his wife practicing homosexuality with his male partner . Both family member’s stakeholders and the community youth have mounted round the clock to search for Lansana and his partner yembeh, who is now declared wanted by the Sierra Leone Police.
Lansana who is hails from Islamic Muslim home and his late father his a strong Muslim before his passing away, He was raised by a strong Muslim family even though Lansana himself is Christian and he was attended a catholic church in kabala, was not expected to practice this act especially when his family was well known by members of the community as religious people.
Both national and religious laws in the country totally forbid individuals from practicing such acts. Family and community members were completely disappointed at Lansana Marah, and his partner action that was noted goes contrary to their customs and traditions. Lansana is bee secretively about his sexual orientation before he was caught.
On Saturday the 7th December 2019, the wife of Lansana martin Marah caught Lansana having sexual intercourse with his male counter part at there home which the wife called her parents and community members decided to take the laws into her hands together to physically and violently attacking Lansana and partner at the place of seeing during the process Lansana and his partner were fortunate to escape for there lives.
After his successful escape, he tried going 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 lifestyles, of which they were pointing fingers at him that nearly led him to commit suicide.
It was also understand that this irate community members stormed the residence of Lansana martin Marah and Yembeh mansaray partner 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 knows the whereabouts of Lansana and yembeh, but it is believed that both of the police and that of the community members are still angrily hunting him.
According to Sierra Leone’s law’s lesbian and gay acts are totally discouraged, and the Sierra Leone constitution stated that anyone caught in the practice must face a sentence of life imprisonment with hard labor.
