By Saio Marrah
The First Accused in an ongoing trial for alleged corruption in connection to the renovation of Sierra Leone’s Chancery Building in New York, Saidu Nallo, has denied all corruption charges levied against him.
Nallo was responding to questions from his lawyer, Mohamed Pa-Momoh Fofanah in respect of the indictment levied against him, at the Law Court Building, Friday 5th January 2024.
Fofanah asked his client about his reaction to count 19, which pointed out that on diverse dates between 1st and 30 June 2018, he (Nallo) failed to comply with applicable procedures concerning the disbursement of 123,500 United States dollars to Jules Sander Davies, President of Fairfield Construction Firm for renovation of the chancery building.
Nallo acknowledged that he dealt with payment of the said money to Jules Sander Davies, but pointed out that he followed all applicable procedures including an assessment of the work involving architects from Freetown, that was certified before payment was made.
He also told the court that the mode of payment took place at the finance office, where the third accused; Foday Vahfomba Bawoh was the then finance attaché.
Nallo however noted that there were no written procedures and guidelines, but he only adhered to instructions.
Responding to count 20, which stated that the first accused Nallo, and Bawoh, misappropriated the said fund, Nallo cited a document dated 25th June 2018, where Fairfield acknowledged (signed) receipt of the USD 123,500.
On count 21, which implicated him and the third accused between the same diverse days, they failed to comply with applicable procedures concerning payment of USD 113, 200, and he said they followed all applicable procedures.
He also denied count 22, which deals with misappropriation of the USD 113,200, saying that they paid it to the president of the construction company, Jules Sanders Davies, who signed for it as well.
Responding to count 23, which indicted him and the third accused that between the 1st and 31st August 2018, they failed to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines in connection to the payment of USD 187,000, Nallo refuted that as well.
He also denied the allegation in count 24 about misappropriation of the fund 187,000 by citing a document dated 18th August 2018, where Davies signed receipt of the said fund.
He further elaborated that during a meeting, the then Ambassador requested all receipts of payment to the contractor concerning the said renovation and also asked the contractor to produce his for him to compare. Nallo said the contractor did comply.
It is also alleged in count 25 that between 1st January and 30th September 2018, Nallo, Bawoh, and others conspired to commit corruption by failing to comply with applicable conditions. He in turn referenced a memo, which he authored, dated 11th September 2018, which he said titled ‘report on the implementation of the chancery building renovation work’ which he said was addressed to the Director General of the Foreign Ministry in Freetown, which he said he also copied the Minister.
He said the report was to bring the ministry up to date about the renovation and the challenges.
Responding to count 26, which stated that between 1st and 30th November 2018, he and Bawoh negligently failed to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines with respect to the payment of USD 35,000, he said he complied with all applicable procedures and guidelines and further noted that Foday Basil Kamara had already taken over from Bawoh.
Nallo also responded to count 27 about misappropriation and argued that there was proof that the said money was paid to Davies in November 2018.
He also told the court that in no time did the contractor complain that he did not receive the money, or he ever got a query from his bosses in Freetown for failure to comply with applicable procedures.
He added that he had not seen any Auditor General’s report on the said project.
Saidu Nallo is among others including Dr. Samura Kamara former presidential candidate for the main opposition, whom the Anti-Corruption Commission indicted with a host of corruption-related offences over the renovation of Sierra Leone’s UN mission Chancery Building in New York in 2021.
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