Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Sierra Leone Immigration Department has provided an update on its investigation into a Turkish national, Abdullah Alp Ustun, whom Turkish media allege was found in possession of a Sierra Leonean diplomatic passport.
Speaking in an interview with Truth Media, the Chief Immigration Officer, Moses Tiffa Baio, said the Government of Sierra Leone has not received any official response from Turkish authorities regarding the alleged passport. He explained that the investigation remains incomplete because Turkey has not supplied a copy of the purported diplomatic passport, despite several formal requests.
Baio noted that since the matter came to light, the department has undertaken a comprehensive internal review of its records and procedures, complemented by verification with external partners. He insisted that no diplomatic passport has been issued outside the legally established process, adding that all recent diplomatic passports were approved and signed by President Julius Maada Bio.
Addressing widespread public speculation about the issuance of diplomatic passports, Baio said the narratives circulating on social media are misleading. He emphasized that internal audits have revealed no evidence of malpractice within the department.
Meanwhile, President Bio has instituted a temporary moratorium on the issuance of diplomatic passports pending the conclusion of the investigation. The directive, according to the Immigration Department, is intended to reinforce accountability and restore public trust as authorities seek clarity on Ustun’s alleged involvement in international cocaine trafficking and reported links to convicted drug kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, who is said to be hiding in Sierra Leone.
Baio maintained that the prolonged inquiry is due solely to delays by Turkish authorities, whom he accused of “dragging their feet” in providing the crucial evidence needed to move the investigation forward.
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