By: Hafsatu Bangura
The 13th State witness, Idriss Samaguty Tejan Kargbo, has testified before Justice Adrian Fishers that he has never submitted any credential before and after his appointment as head of chancery at the United Nations New York.
He made this statement in the ongoing matter against the former APC Minister of Foreign Affairs and international cooperation, Dr. Samura Kamara and four others.
The witness said he was working as a counselor at the Sierra Leone permanent mission to the United Nations in November 2017, his duty and responsibilities in the mission were, asset officer, fleet manager in addition to his substantive duties.
He added that he later acted as head of chancery for a period after the first accused had been recalled; he also stated that he attended various meetings at which the developments relating to the renovation of the chancery building were discussed.
He further stated that in consultation with Alie Kabba the current Ambassador to UN, he learnt that the first accused had authorized payment to the contractor for the sum of USD $250,000 while a stop order was issue for a stop work by the New York city council.
He further stated that he is aware of the ongoing rehabilitation of the chancery building, and did not play any specific role except by way of occasional updates he received from Alie Kabba his boss and the 1st accused respectively.
The witness told the court that he was part of the committee of the project but the committee was later dissolve after few months, thus noted the issues of insurance to the mission the head of chancery was in charge (1st accused) and that the insurance was embedded in the contract.
13th witness said the matter was brought to court as a result of the delay of the renovation of the chancery building, and the government of Sierra Leone and sub-contractors Empire group contracted by Jules Sander Davies was taken to court.
Cross examination by MP Fofanah Esq for the first and third accused persons, the witness was asked as appointed as heads chancery if he has ever read the contract, the witness said he read part of the contract. At this point matter was adjourned.
