The eleven have served the company until November 18 2013 when they were accused of embezzlement, conspiracy and felony by the management of ADDAX. They were held in police custody in Makeni and the CID headquarters in Freetown for several days – for three consecutive times, before their service was terminated; following their suspension from work with half pay.
In the cause of their detention and appearances at the Magistrates and High courts, they went without monthly salaries. Presided by then Magistrate Alhaji Momojah Stevens – now High Court Judge, the matter initially before him was between ADDAX Bio – energy versus Frank Basie and eleven others including Mohamed AS Kamara, Mohamed B. Kabia, Adama Kamara etc.
From the Magistrates court in Makeni, the matter was committed to the High Court in July 2014. It was discharged and acquitted in August 24th 2016 for lack of prosecution by High Court Judge Don Bonsco Allieu in Makeni, northeastern Sierra Leone.
The Labour Minister Mathew Teambo, intervened personally after the discharge of the matter from High Court – three consecutive times in the month of March 2017, in his office at New England Ville, Freetown, altogether with Frank Bassie, the thirteen others and the ADDAX Bio – energy Company to dialogue on the matter.
Throughout the three dialogue meetings, the Minister kept condemning the actions of the ADDAX Management quoting the Act of the Labour Laws of Sierra Leone. It was when the ADDAX Management had to agree paying all of the claims of the eleven former staff including their backlog salaries, benefit and compensation for intimidation and humiliation. But reluctantly, the Management is insisting on excluding Frank Bassie, who was head of the rest; from being entitled to a benefit because “He was a senior staff – as per the rules and regulations of ADDAX”, the management continues to claim.
Going to press, the ADDAX Management could not be reached for comment on the story, but the eleven young men and women have been hopeful they still have a strong labour and human rights case against their former employer –ADDAX, with support of the laws of the land and the Government of Sierra Leone, and: “Our case is expected to come up by next week for hearing”, one of them boasted confidently.
