By Henry Kargbo Star witness in the continue Anti-Corruption Commission New York chancery financial fraud matter before Hon. Justice Adrian Fisher of the High Court No 1, the former Representative to Sierra Leone Permanent Mission at the United Nations in New York, Dr Alie Kabba in his third cross examinations by lawyer Pa Momog Fofanah, has on Tuesday 25th October 2022 informed the hearing that the Head of Chancery (HOC) of the above said diplomatic mission, Saidu Nallo worked in isolation.
The matter involving the leading main opposition All People’s Congress APC flag bearer aspirant, Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara and four others are before the ACC High Court No 1, for alleged embezzlement of $4.6m, meant for the refurbishment and reconstruction of Sierra Leone Chancery at the UN in New York.
Testifying during his cross examination, by lawyer Pa Momoh Fofanah, Dr Kabba said that he didn’t receive any briefing from embassy staff to know what’s happening at the Sierra Leone Permanent Mission to the UN. He told the court that because of the slow movements of the contractors found were not available at all times, pointing out that the first accused, Nallo didn’t provide any bank statement.
He said anytime he figured it out, the HOC who was the vote controller of the mission when he arrived in New York provided it verbally. He told that Court that in September 2019, the building was like a death trap, adding that he held a meeting with all diplomatic staff, during which they made mention about the fifth and sixth floors.
Dr Kabba recalled that when he arrived at the mission in New York he didn’t see any Cabernet Approval, adding at a meeting the HOC didn’t provide any contract document, and furthered that in early 2020 the contract got stalled, towards which according to him he set up a committee to look into the building project.
He said that in September 2022, he was disappointed over the building because it was expected to be officially opened by President Bio, adding that form April 2020 to 2021 he had no idea about the chancery building project, but disclosed that 90% of works have already been completed on the first and fourth floors.
