Responding to questions posed by Counsel for the accused person, Durusin Taylor, the witness Sheik Ahmed Kamara informed the court that after his arrest, he, the ex-Deputy Minister of Works and one Alusine Fomkoba Fofanah were invited to the office of the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala at George Street in Freetown.
He responded that the accused person denied knowing or transacting any vehicle deal with him, and that the witness even told the Commissioner that he had never set eyes on him.
The witness further responded that Alusine Fomkoba Fofanah who introduced the ex-Deputy Minister of Works to him and who also received the first part payment of thirteen thousand United States dollars from him; denied knowing or transacting any business relating to the government-owned white Toyota V8 Land Cruiser vehicle in question.
He further replied Counsel for the accused person that due to the denial statements of the accused person, Kadijatu Sesay, the Anti Corruption Commissioner then adjourned the meeting, and after a while they were later summoned to another meeting in his office.
During the second meeting, the witness said Alusine Fomkoba Fofanah told the ACC Commissioner that he did receive the said first part payment of the money in question, but that it was meant for the purchase of timber and not for the government Toyota V8 Land Cruiser vehicle.
He explained that Alusine Fomkoba Fofanah and the accused person pleaded with the Anti Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala to give them time to resolve the matter, but the Commissioner replied that they were not in his office to hold a family meeting.
The witness, Sheik Ahmed Kamara intimated the court that after the first and second meetings with the Anti Corruption Commissioner, he was released and asked to report at the Commission’s headquarter at George Street every morning, while investigation was ongoing.
The responses of the prosecution witness prompted the Defense Counsel, Durisin Taylor to move a motion with particular reference to a portion of the evidence elicited from the witness during his cross-examination.
He argued that the procedure applied by the Anti Corruption Commission in interrogating the accused person before she was charged to court, was an abuse of process, coupled with a Press Release which according to him, prejudiced the probity and value of the proceedings.
Barrister Taylor informed the court that he would furnish the court with his application with the authorities and would do same to the prosecution.
In his reply, the State Counsel, M. Sowe maintained that the said application the Defense Counsel intends to file for abuse of office by the Commission is wrong, un-procedural and a complete delay of progress and justice.
After listening and digesting the submissions of both the prosecution and the defense, the presiding Judge. Hon. Justice Fatmata Bintu Ahladi granted the application, which the defense is expected to file to the court and serve the prosecution.
The former Deputy Works Minister, Kadijatu Sesay is on bail
The matter is adjourned to Tuesday 23rd July 2019.
