Same-Sex Allegation Leaves One Man Missing, Partner Dead
By Aruna Kamara
The whereabouts of Mohamed Sheriff remain unknown following an alleged same-sex incident at Rokel New Site, while his alleged male partner, Salieu, reportedly later died after escaping from the scene.
The incident reportedly occurred in September 2021, when Mohamed’s wife, identified as Sally, allegedly returned home unexpectedly and found him in an intimate situation with Salieu.
Sources familiar with the matter said Mohamed had married Sally earlier in 2021. According to the account, he later informed Salieu about the marriage, a development that reportedly angered him.
On the night of the incident, Mohamed’s wife reportedly told him that she would not sleep at home because she was going to her father’s residence. It was during that period, according to sources, that Mohamed allegedly contacted Salieu and invited him to spend the night.
Salieu reportedly arrived later that evening. However, Mohamed’s wife allegedly returned home and reportedly found the two men together.
She began shouting, attracting the attention of people from neighbouring compounds. According to accounts gathered by this publication, Mohamed and Salieu were allegedly severely beaten by residents after the incident came to light.
The situation reportedly escalated when residents attempted to take the two men to a police station. However, upon reaching the station, they allegedly found that most of the police officers had gone out on an operation that night, only one female police officer was present at the station and was reportedly unable to handle the situation involving the angry crowd and the two men.
The men were subsequently reportedly taken back from the station. Sources alleged that Mohamed was locked in a store, while the situation around Salieu continued to deteriorate.
Salieu reportedly managed to escape from the scene after allegedly being severely beaten. However, sources familiar with the matter later claimed that he subsequently died.
The circumstances surrounding Salieu’s reported death remain unclear. It was alleged that the injuries and pain he suffered during the assault may have contributed to his death.
Following the incident, Mohamed also reportedly escaped from the area. His whereabouts have remained unknown ever since, according to sources familiar with the case.
Mohamed was later reportedly declared wanted in connection with the incident.
The case has raised serious questions about what happened to the two men after the alleged incident at Rokel New Site, including the circumstances surrounding Salieu’s reported death and Mohamed’s continued disappearance.
The alleged incident reportedly occurred in a predominantly Muslim community where same-sex relationships are strongly prohibited under prevailing religious and social norms. Same-sex sexual activity is also prohibited under Sierra Leone’s existing criminal law framework.
However, allegations of criminal conduct, assault, threats, or death should be properly investigated by the relevant authorities. Any individual accused of wrongdoing is entitled to due process, while claims surrounding a person’s death require independent verification and proper investigation.
As of the time of publication, the whereabouts of Mohamed Sheriff remain unknown. Questions also remain about whether a formal investigation was conducted into the alleged assault, Salieu’s reported death, and the events that followed the incident at Rokel New Site.
The unresolved case continues to leave questions about the fate of both men and what happened after the alleged incident.