By: Audrey Raymonda John
The matter between the State and Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara and five others came up again before Justice Adrian Fisher at the High Court and the first accused Saidu Nallo is still testifying before the court.
Before commencement of the matter, Lawyer B. Koroma representing the second accused apologize before the court for the absent of his client adding that he was given leave by the court for medical attention at the United Kingdom due to diabetics.
He said he as Counsel will always be present in court and apologize profusely to the judge for his client absent.
Justice Fisher in respond said the second accused is next in line to testify before the court after the first accused has testify.
He said the second accused should try and be in court.
Lawyer C. T Matesbo said on the 25 October, 2023, the learned judges gave order in court for the second accused to travel to England for Medical attention but should be in court on the 15 November.
He said this excuse from the court may continue and he should abide by the law given by the court.
Lawyer B. Koroma said he will ensure that his client be in court soonest.
In continuation of his testimony Saidu Nallo said he was head of the chancery from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2018.
He further testifies that the chancery project itself was micro manage from Freetown headquarters, adding that it was established by the technical team at the ministry of finance, ministry of foreign affairs and ministry of works.
Answering to questions put to him by lawyer Pa Momoh Fofanah, Nallo said in their report made by them was that the chancery project was micro manage and there is no way the mission could engaged in award of contract because all the decisions were being done by the headquarter in Freetown and the contract he added was govern by the law of New York.
Nallo continue that he was always given instructions from the Ministry of Foreign affairs and International cooperation.
Exhibit W1-22 was shown to the witness which he identifies as document of recommendation in 2021and the author was Mr Bockarie.
Nallo continue that during his tenure as head of chancery he did not award any contract to fear field construction company.
Exhibit AAC 1-7 was shown to the witness which he identifies as document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs title ” letter request for site monitoring for additional of two floors of the chancery building.
He also identifies A 1-2 as a correspondent from the senior permanent secretary of the mission address to the Director General and Ambassador at Large at the Ministry of Foreign affairs and International cooperation and it was also requesting for additional two floors building of the chancery building dated 30 July 2019.
He said he received these memo’s as chancery head for the construction of the two additional building.
Exhibit A P was also shown to him which he also identifies as a correspondent from the Ministry of Foreign affairs address to the head of the chancery for site monitoring and evaluation of the work done at the site and for the approval o two additional building and this document is dated 4 August 2019
He continues that all the memos that were sent to Freetown are related to the chancery project and the outcome of meetings held by the committee.
Another memo dated 26 March 2019 was produce and tender in court and mark as exhibit AAA J 1 together with another memo dated 27 June 2019 was also tender and mark as exhibit AAA K1, adding that both memos were signed by him and they were being acted on but there was a delay in the process.
Mr. Nallo continue that he was aware about the contract between Sierra Leone and Fare field construction company but there was a change order and exhibit U 19 was shown which indicates changed in the work.
Nallo continue in his testimony that when he received the correspondent for an additional two floors building they as a team call the Ministry of Foreign affairs for clarification if it is a new contract but they responded that as long as it is the same contractor it is not a new contract and they also call the National Public Procurement Authority and they also responded in the same manner and the instructions was given to them by Ambassador Kai Kai to make the call.
He confirmed that the sum of $ 50,000 was given to the contractor Jules sander Davis and he was still head of the and Foday Vafomba Bayoh was still the financial attaché.
He continue that when report are been sent to Freetown to the Ministry of Foreign affairs about the building they had their own procedure and when they are satisfied they made payment to them and their role is to talk to the inspector of the site to produce document and they sent the documents to Freetown.
He said about the additional two floors building estimate were not coming from them but from the contractor and they will also forward then in Freetown.
He said another memo dated 14 February 2019 for an additional two floors building and in page two of the document there is an estimation of one million, nine hundred and fifty dollars but the initial estimate he said is over three million dollars.
Exhibit AX 1-13 was shown to the witness which he identifies as witness statement of Montesi and page seven of statement said the total contact price is three million and eighty-six thousand two hundred and seventy dollars.
He said Montesi was always asking for additional funds but they resisted him that they are struggling with funds.
He said they also made a request to fix rest room on all the floors of the building.
Nallo continue that the $ 50,000 send to them for the additional building was sent during the time when the contractor was very depressing and he met them saying that he has problem at the job site and he issue a warning to take the mission to court because they were owing him six months of money.
He said they then give him the $ 50,000 as part payment of the six months owing and later they went to the architect to had a meeting with him but he also told them that he is no longer interested in the job because of payment delayed and the work schedule he said is always been compromised because of lack of funding.
He said they made these part payment to appease them to continue the work but the architect went ahead and take the mission to court.
He said the sixth accused Jules sander Davis received receipt of every payment made and he produce exhibit AN 1-2 which is a letter from Fear field construction company dated April 21 2021 having list of all monies paid to them together with the outstanding owing.
He confirmed that the $ 50,000 was part of the monies received by the contractor.
At this juncture the matter was adjourned to Today for continuation.