Opposition figures in Sierra Leone have accused one of Europe’s most wanted fugitives of evading justice by allegedly fathering a child with the daughter of President Julius Maada Bio, raising serious questions about high level protection for a convicted cocaine trafficker facing decades in prison.
Jos Leijdekkers, a 34 year old Dutch national known as “Chubby Jos” or “Bolle Jos,” has reportedly spent more than two years in Sierra Leone despite facing combined prison sentences totaling 74 years across multiple European jurisdictions for large scale drug trafficking and other serious crimes.
Opposition leader Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray claims that Agnes Bio, the president’s daughter, gave birth to Leijdekkers’ child in New York. He has accused the Bio government of actively protecting the Dutch fugitive and blocking efforts to bring him to justice, allegations the government has denied.
Leijdekkers has been photographed with members of the Bio family at various social events, including appearing in video footage from a New Year’s church service shared on social media by First Lady Fatima Bio. In that footage, he can be seen standing just two rows behind the president.
Additional footage obtained by Dutch investigative journalists shows Leijdekkers attending a private birthday celebration in March 2024 for Alusine Kanneh, Sierra Leone’s immigration chief, where he presented a gift during the festivities. The apparent ease with which he mingles with senior government officials has fueled speculation about the level of protection he enjoys.
Leijdekkers was sentenced in absentia to 24 years in prison in June 2024 by a Rotterdam court for smuggling more than 7 tonnes of cocaine. He also received an eight year sentence in Belgium in September, bringing his total Belgian prison term to 50 years. Beyond drug trafficking, he faces charges that include torture and murder, with authorities in multiple countries seeking his arrest.
European law enforcement has placed a €200,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Dutch authorities formally submitted an extradition request to Sierra Leone in February 2025, but the process has stalled amid what observers describe as a lack of cooperation from Sierra Leonean officials.
President Bio reportedly traveled to New York during the United Nations General Assembly around the time his daughter allegedly gave birth, while Leijdekkers remained in Sierra Leone. The timing has added fuel to opposition claims that the fugitive enjoys family level protection from the country’s highest office.
In response to mounting media reports and international pressure, Sierra Leone’s communications ministry issued a statement asserting that President Bio had “no knowledge of the identity or the issues detailed” concerning Leijdekkers. The government has stated it is investigating the matter and remains committed to international cooperation on criminal justice issues.
However, Dutch officials have reported that a scheduled meeting between Netherlands and Sierra Leone authorities to discuss Leijdekkers’ arrest and extradition was abruptly cancelled, raising further doubts about Freetown’s willingness to act on the extradition request.
The case has created diplomatic tensions between the Netherlands and Sierra Leone. The lack of an extradition treaty between the two countries and apparent stalling by Sierra Leonean officials have hindered progress, according to Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel, who personally submitted the extradition request.
Leijdekkers’ criminal empire spans multiple European countries. His convictions relate to six major drug shipments and involvement in sophisticated trafficking networks that moved massive quantities of cocaine through European ports. Beyond the drug charges, he is believed to be connected to the 2019 disappearance and death of Naima Jillal, a woman who went missing after getting into a vehicle associated with his organization.
Dutch police previously believed Leijdekkers was hiding in Turkey before he surfaced in Sierra Leone. His ability to evade capture while living relatively openly in West Africa suggests either significant local protection or failures in international law enforcement cooperation, possibly both.
The alleged relationship with the president’s daughter complicates extradition efforts considerably. If Leijdekkers has indeed fathered a child with Agnes Bio, he could claim family ties that make deportation more legally complex under Sierra Leonean law. Some legal experts suggest this may have been a calculated strategy to create obstacles to his removal from the country.
For Sierra Leone, the controversy threatens the country’s international reputation at a sensitive time. The West African nation has worked to present itself as a reliable partner in regional security and governance reforms. Harboring a wanted European drug lord, particularly one with alleged family connections to the presidency, undermines those efforts dramatically.
Opposition politicians have seized on the scandal to attack the Bio administration’s credibility. Mansaray and other critics argue that protecting Leijdekkers represents a betrayal of international law enforcement cooperation and raises questions about possible corruption at the highest levels of government.
The case also highlights broader challenges in international law enforcement. Criminals with significant financial resources can exploit gaps in extradition treaties and court jurisdictional complications to avoid justice, particularly when they establish connections with powerful figures in countries with weak rule of law institutions.
Dutch prosecutors have made clear they intend to pursue Leijdekkers aggressively. In July 2025, a Dutch court seized approximately $112 million in assets linked to his criminal enterprise, one of the largest asset forfeitures in Netherlands history. Authorities hope that cutting off his financial resources will limit his ability to maintain the lifestyle and connections that currently shield him.
The international attention on this case puts pressure on Sierra Leone to act. Failure to cooperate with legitimate extradition requests from European partners could result in diplomatic consequences, potential sanctions, or damage to Sierra Leone’s relationships with Western nations that provide significant development assistance.
For now, Leijdekkers remains at large in Sierra Leone while Dutch, Belgian, and other European authorities continue pressing for his return to face justice. Whether Sierra Leone ultimately complies with extradition requests or continues delaying may depend partly on how much political damage the controversy inflicts on the Bio administration domestically and internationally.
The unfolding saga represents a test case for international criminal justice cooperation and the extent to which personal connections can shield even the most wanted fugitives from accountability when they find refuge in jurisdictions willing to look the other way.
