April 12, 2021
By: Francis F.M.Harding
Former workers of Total Sierra Leone, Alusine Bangurawas in court as Prosecution Witness (PW3) to testify in matter involving Elizabeth Sofunirum the Managing Director, Michaeal Bowor-John, the Human Resources Officer and Patrick Chiluba the Finance Manager at of Total Sierra Leone.
The defendants were arraigned before Magistrate Marke Ngegba in Freetown on the 8th April, 2021. They were accused of threatening remarks contrary to the Laws of Sierra Leone.
Testifying, PW 3 said he knew the three defendants as his former colleagues. The witness said on the 26th March, 2019 in the morning hours they were called to a meeting with cross section of the management. At that meeting a presentation was done by the Finance Manager and the Human Resource Officer. Both revealed that some malpractices had taken place in the office. They disclosed that over five billion Leones (Le 5.8 Billion Leones) was missing.
As the witness continued his testimony, he said at that time the management gave them instruction to stay at the office premises as a complaint had already been made at the New England Police Station. Witness said they later spent five days at the Police station.
He said after they were put on bail they wrote several letters to negotiate with the Management to resume work to no avail.
During cross examination by Lawyer Beoku Betts, the witness revealed that during the meeting at the Total office on the said date, the Finance Manager and the Human Resource Officer said that they have informed the police about the matter.
On the same date, fourth Police Witness, the Network Sales Representative at Total Sierra Leone, Babatundi Wilkinson took the witness stand and said he knew the three defendants as colleagues who are occupying the positions of Managing Director, Human Resource Officer and Finance Manager. The witness said on the 26th March, 2019 he was not at the meeting summoned but he was aware of all what transpired.