A former FBI Special Agent and distinguished African-American investor Ty Fairman finds himself ensnared in a dangerous and complex plot orchestrated by the Japanese Yakuza, the notorious organized crime syndicate.

Fairman, now a Sierra Leonean citizen told Sierraloaded that his human rights and access to due process have been severely violated by elements within the Sierra Leone Police Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting in concert with Japanese criminals.

Fairman’s ordeal began when he became a target of the Yakuza, who reportedly duped investors out of over $300 million. To divert attention from their own criminal activities, the Japanese conspirators falsely accused Fairman of absconding with the funds and made fictitious claims about his involvement in a diamond mining operation generating 5,000 carats of diamonds daily. These allegations were further complicated by Fairman’s critical role as a witness against these Japanese nationals in an ongoing case in Tokyo.

Ty Fairman

The Yakuza’s influence reached into Sierra Leone, where they allegedly bribed local officials to undermine Fairman’s credibility and destroy his business interests. A significant part of this conspiracy involved bribing officials, including attempts to influence the Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) to reclassify a commercial dispute as a criminal matter.

Fairman, who received Sierra Leonean citizenship through President Ret. Brigadier General Maada Bio’s Black American Heritage Program, moved to Sierra Leone with his Sierra Leonean wife and invested heavily in local enterprises, including mining, security, and disaster preparedness. Despite his clean record both in the U.S. and Sierra Leone, his Japanese business partners from DDE Fintech Holdings—Michio Kamiya, Tokuro Kudo, and Yoshimitu Ishikawa—have extensive histories of fraud and other criminal activities.

In late 2023, Fairman and his partner confronted Kamiya and Kudo after being warned by Japanese authorities about the fraudulent nature of DDE Fintech Holdings. Rather than addressing the issues, the Japanese retaliated by defaming Fairman and orchestrating his arrest on unfounded charges of fraud and forgery.

 

 

The situation escalated when Fairman was detained by CID officers for over 72 hours without proper notification to the U.S. Embassy, a breach of international protocol given his dual citizenship. The arrest followed dubious legal processes where non-shareholders like Ishikawa filed criminal complaints, bypassing commercial court procedures.

Fairman’s detention highlighted severe procedural flaws and potential corruption within the CID. The U.S. Ambassador’s intervention was necessary to secure his release, emphasizing the lengths to which local authorities were willing to go, purportedly under Yakuza influence.

This isn’t the first time Fairman has faced significant adversity in Sierra Leone. Since his first visit in 2006, he has experienced multiple instances of fraud and betrayal. In 2010, his security company, Isafe Group, was dismantled by employees who stole company assets. Similarly, in 2013, a trusted employee falsely claimed unpaid wages, resulting in a court-ordered seizure of Fairman’s mining equipment while he was abroad.

 

 

Despite these setbacks, Fairman returned to Sierra Leone, determined to rectify his mistakes and rebuild his enterprises. His resilience underscores a commitment to his adopted country, despite the systemic corruption and exploitation he continues to face.

The ongoing situation raises several critical questions about the integrity of Sierra Leone’s judicial and law enforcement systems. Why did CID officials bypass established corporate governance procedures? How did the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Alhaji Kella, become involved in this business dispute? And why were procedural safeguards ignored to the detriment of Fairman’s rights?

As the investigation unfolds, it is crucial for Sierra Leonean authorities to address these issues transparently and ensure that justice prevails, not only for Ty Fairman but also to uphold the rule of law in the country. The involvement of international observers and the U.S. Embassy will be pivotal in ensuring that Fairman receives fair treatment and that those responsible for these violations are held accountable.