Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, Former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and a Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament for Pujehun District, has called for an urgent investigation into an alleged visa fraud case. The alleged fraud involves a visa application reportedly made in his name and that of an individual identified as Chabatan Bah. Mr. Tunis denied any knowledge of the individual or the application, stating, "I have never employed anyone for that role. In fact, this name is strange to me. I am hearing this name for the first time. I am even wondering whether this so-called Executive Assistant is a male or a female. I don’t know this person."
Visa Application Details
The alleged visa application, reportedly submitted in 2023, named Chabatan Bah as Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis' Executive Assistant. Mr. Tunis, a Member of Parliament for Pujehun District, explicitly denied this claim. He stated, "I have never employed anyone for that role. In fact, this name is strange to me. I am hearing this name for the first time." Mr. Tunis added that he was uncertain about the individual's gender, further emphasizing his lack of familiarity. "I am even wondering whether this so-called Executive Assistant is a male or a female. I don’t know this person," he affirmed. The application's details are central to the fraud allegations.
MP's Strong Denial
Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has strongly denied any knowledge of Chabatan Bah, the individual named in the alleged fraudulent visa application, or ever employing such a person. "I have never employed anyone for that role. In fact, this name is strange to me. I am hearing this name for the first time. I am even wondering whether this so-called Executive Assistant is a male or a female. I don’t know this person," Mr. Tunis stated. His denial shows a complete lack of familiarity with the person whose visa application reportedly used his name.
The United States Embassy in Freetown declined to comment on the specific allegations or the status of any individual visa application. This refusal is consistent with their policy regarding the privacy of applicant information. The Embassy's stance means no official confirmation or denial of the application's details has been provided by the diplomatic mission itself.
Official Silence and Next Steps
A Note Verbale was allegedly transmitted by Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to the US Embassy in Freetown in 2023, reportedly requesting visas for Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis and Chabatan Bah. This alleged transmission is central to the ongoing visa fraud inquiry. Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis has stated, "I have never employed anyone for that role. In fact, this name is strange to me. I am hearing this name for the first time. I am even wondering whether this so-called Executive Assistant is a male or a female. I don’t know this person." By press time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation had not publicly responded to the allegations or Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis’ request for an investigation.
Broader Context and Implications
Chabatan Bah was allegedly issued a United States visa and travelled to the country but did not return to Sierra Leone, according to reports. Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, who denied any knowledge of Bah, stated, "I have never employed anyone for that role. In fact, this name is strange to me. I am hearing this name for the first time. I am even wondering whether this so-called Executive Assistant is a male or a female. I don’t know this person." Meanwhile, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis is reportedly included on the official Government of Sierra Leone delegation scheduled to travel to New York for this month’s United Nations General Assembly.
