A GUY GOT DISOWN BY HIS FAMILY

Amadu Koroma a native of Graton village at the outskirt of the capital, Freetown, has landed himself in a serious trouble following his decision to join a gay movement, a practice that is abhorred by his family, the country and the Islamic religion which his uncle Amidu Koroma is a strong believer and a respectable Imam in the biggest Mosque in that village.

Amadu was lured into gay practice by his school friend, Joseph when he was invited to attend a house party they had organized on 26th March 2020. They were all gay members and were preparing for their Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). They explained to him details of the movement and cajoled him to be a member too.

Amadu readily and willingly accepted their request without the least consequences from his family and community, given that the practice is a taboo and an abomination in Sierra Leone society and against God.

Amadu’s uncle Amidu Koroma started to suspect him when he started to miss the five daily prayers. One day, his uncle even flogged him when he failed to go for prayers at the Mosque.

Amadu our source stated lost both parents during the Ebola outbreak that ravaged Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia in 2015.

As if that was not enough, Amadu decided to take his gay partner Joseph into his uncle’s house on Friday 8th May 2020 while the entire household had gone for Magreb night prayers (7:00 PM). In Islam, Friday is regarded as one of the most important and blessed days.

He however ran out of luck that day after they were caught red handed in the act by his uncle.

His angry Uncle viewing his nephew’s unholy act as shame and disgrace instantly disowned him for bringing his family name into disrepute and furthermore reported the ungodly incident to police. Gay practice is an abomination and forbidden in Sierra Leone.

Amadu’s ungodly behavior irritated his family and the entire Graton community who immediately instituted punishment against him.

His uncle drove him out of his house and was physically attacked by his family members and community people. He was also stigmatized and frequently harassed and even threatened to kill him for fear of initiating other people in the community.

Amadu was allegedly attacked and stabbed by his family members and some unknown people on 10th May, 2020 for going against the norms, tradition and culture of the country.

Amadu was not only harassed but was completely marginalized and his freedom of movement as well as speech became limited.

Amadu’s problem became even worse when the Grafton village headman, Julius Mansaray wrote a stern warning letter on the 11th May, 2020 to his family and copied the Police for prompt action against his gay membership which he said is a taboo in the village.

The headman informed the Koroma family that it came to the attention of his administration and the inter-religious council that their son Amadu Koroma is a gay which Graton village and the entire country condemn in its entirety.

According to the headman, gay practice has no provision in the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone. It was against this backdrop and the pressure on him that he, the headman asked Pa Amidu to ask his nephew Amadu without delay to denounce whatever commitment and withdraw his membership from the gay movement, failure which will lead to his constant harassment or even banish him from that community.

Prior to Amadu’s disappearance Police authorities declared him as a wanted person for his gay act which they described is against tradition, religion and the country’s law. Those found wanting for such crime usually faced long term imprisonment and hard labour. As a result of this constant threats and attacks, Amadu is said to have left that community and his whereabouts remain unknown.