By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Defence counsels representing accused persons in the ongoing alleged New York Chancery Building corruption matter have cross examined the eleventh Prosecution witness, Ambassador Victoria Suleiman.
Answering questions posed by Lawyer Mohamed PA. Momoh Fofana on behalf of the first accused person Mr. Saidu Nallo and the third accused, the prosecution witness said she was aware of an existing contract between the Government of Sierra Leone and Fairfield contractor entered into on the 9th December 2016.
As the Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Madam, Victoria Suleiman said she is familiar with the Ministry’s Administrative Structure.
According to her, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has a procurement unit, an entity headed by the (DG).
The witness went on that she is aware of a procurement unit in the Mission Chancery division in New York in the care of a committee and not by an individual.
The prosecution witness further that she is aware of the delay of funds into the rehabilitation project of the Chancery Building which contributed to the rehabilitation work.
The information she said was disclosed by the then Permanent Representative Dr. Alie Kabba at a meeting held in New York.
Madam Victoria Suleiman confirms a stop work order placed on the building based on the Lawyers intervention with regards to a complaint of nuisance in indecency reported by neighbours with the State of the Sierra Leone Mission Chancery Building in New York. This intervention and the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020, Madam Suleiman said seriously affected jobs and work particularly in New York and with the completion of the Chancery rehabilitation work.
As a member of the building construction committee, the witness said the issue of additional funding for the 5th and 6th floors of the Chancery Building was discussed at a diplomatic meeting held in New York; and also aware of funding arrangements for rehabilitation work at the basement to 4th floor of the Chancery Building.
The witness recognises several minute documents taken in meetings of which she was part.
An additional witness Madam Florence Nyawah, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Basic Education was led in evidence.
As former Director General for twenty two years at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Madam Nyawah said she knows the first and fourth accused persons, Mr. Saidu Nallo and Dr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara.
Since her days as DG, she said she had never received a request for payment non notification for the rehabilitation work of the Chancery Building.
The witness confirms payment of two hundred and two thousand eight hundred and eighty two United State Dollars made on 1st March 2020 and a temporary payment voucher dated 8th March 2021.