By: Hafsatu Z Bangura
Seventeenth Prosecution Witness Dr Micheal Imran Kanu, current Ambassador and Permanent Representative for Legal Affairs in the permanent mission in New York in a testimony made on the ongoing trial of the state vs Dr Samura Kamara and others at the high court no.1 in Freetown presided over by Justice Adrian Fisher has disclosed in his testimony that his appointment is of a political one and was appointed by the President His Excellency Julius Maada Bio.
He made this testimony with defense Counsel for the 1st and 3rd accused persons MP Fofanah Esq.
Leading the witness state Prosecutor CT Matsebo inquired of the prosecutions position as Ambassador Dr Imran Kanu replied that he assumed his position in September 2018, during this time he said, he was made aware of properties of ownership interest to the commission, this he said included the Chancery building 249 East Manhattan.
He went on that he was of the realization that the said building was under renovation.
He stated that during diplomatic meetings with members, the first accused said he understood the contract that was signed between Fairfield Construction Company and the S/Leone Chancery in New York.
Dr kanu said he requested severally for the contract and was given a copy of it that was tendered in court and marked exhibit U1-26.
He said he got a copy of the contract after 2020 and was of the belief that it was recorded in June 2020 during their diplomatic meetings.
Prosecution Witness furthered that upon receipt of the contract, further instructions was given from the Permanent Representative Dr Alie Kabba with a note to the first accused relating to a non-compliance order in which the notes formed the basis of two letters that were signed by Dr Alie Kabba addressed to the then Minister of Foreign Affairs Mrs Nabeela Tunis and Director General of the same Ministry Mrs Florence Bangalie.
The letter he said that was addressed to the Director General specifically dealt with issues within the scope of work.
He added that the contractors letters dated 4th January 2016 were tendered and marked exhibit A.
This letterhead he said, was never produced even upon request by the First accused even though he said, contained major part of the contract with Fairfield Construction Company.
Cross examination continued with defense Counsel for the first accused MP Fofanah Esq inquired of him if he is aware of the financial officers and Administration of the Chancery Building was entitled the head of chancery and not him, he replied that as vote controller he is in control and not him.
Also defense counsel inquired of him if he was aware of any procurement committee which he responded to him that he never was.
He also interrogated him of allegations of hijacking the first accused role which he said that there were no hijacking duties against the first accused.
He also inquired of him the change orders, he said change order 1 was about the 2nd and 3rd floor, change order 2 dealt with delayed payment and change order 3 was for additional 5th and 6th floors.
He concluded that to his knowledge he is unaware that these orders received approval from the capital.
The Matter has been adjourned to the 5th October 2022 for further hearing.
