fannyann eddy's alleged murderer in court

By Esau Mathope

June 17, 2005: Today in court to face murder charges in Freetown will be Mr. Sankoh, the man who brutally ended the life of one of Africa's fearless gay and lesbian rights activist, Fannyann Eddy.

According to International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (IGLHRC), the trial has been confirmed by Mr. Sam Kangaju of the Legal and Justice Support Office of the Department of Public Prosecutions in Sierra Leone.

Sankoh, 19, has been charged with murder and conspiracy to commit murder for violently killing Eddy in the offices of the Sierra Leone Lesbian and Gay Association on the evening of November 19, 2004. At this stage it is unclear whether the conspiracy charge remains effectual.

According to unverified reports besides Sankoh, who was jailed at Pademba Road Prison in Freetown, no other suspects were held of questioned for the murder. "The nature of this crime and the fact that it was committed in the offices of an LGBT organization sent reverberations throughout Africa's LGBT communities," says Cary Johnson, Senior Specialist for Africa at IGLHRC.