Defendants Deceive Investigators
By: Ilyasa Baa
Revelations coming from the Judiciary that they were not given access to the two alleged addition floors at the Chancery building in New York having shocked supporters of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC,) party whose candidate, Dr. Samura Wilson Kamara is the fourth accused in the matter titled The State vs Saidu Nallo and Others.
According to the Director of Communications of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Elkass Sannoh, while in New York, they did not see or gain access to any additional floors to the existing Chancery building.
He said the fundamental reason that informed the court’s decision to move to the crime scene in New York recently, was to clear some doubts that might have been lingering in the minds of all the relevant parties in the matter.
To the surprise and dismay of investigators, the mentioning of the two additional floors in the Newyork Chancery building was found out to be untrue.
He said it was in October last year during a case management meeting that it was concluded that the court should move to America as provided by law and in the interest of justice.
It should be noted that such an act of lying to the court could be best described as deception and contemptible to the judiciary of Sierra Leone.
As the delegation has returned safely, discoveries from the New York visit are going to be revealed in court. The presiding Judge, Justice Fisher had earlier expressed the need for speedy trial considering the fact that the fourth accused who happens to be the flag bearer of the APC, Dr. Samura Kamara would get ample time to go about his political affairs if not found wanting.
It could be recalled that the matter started in December 2021 and the Anti – Corruption Commission (ACC) presented eighteen witnesses some of whom are working at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation based in the United States of America.
The defense counsel had made a no case submission which was over ruled by the court insisting that the APC flag bearer and others have a case to answer.
Saidu Nallo being the first accused is answering to 30 counts,Adekali Foday Sumah 4 counts, Foday Bai Fomba 20 counts, whilst Dr. Sumara is faced with 2 counts, Foday Basim Kamara 16 counts and finally the contractor Mr. Davies who is an American citizen is also faced with 4 count charges. These men were accused of misappropriating $2.5 million meant for the Chancery building in New York.
However, the US visit is expected by members of the public to clear conflicting evidences that might have been tendered before the court. Members of the APC are following up the matter to see the fate of their presidential contender. The matter is expected to be concluded in a one month’s time or less than that.