As witness testifies in court… Defence counsel question evidence of cash withdrawal

As the trial of Mayor Herbert George Williams and eight others continue in the High Court, presided by Justice J. B. A. Katutsi, prosecuting witness has disclosed in cross examination that a Freetown City Council bank statement of account for the period 1st April to 31st April 2010 shows no evidence of cash withdrawal by the Mayor in the sum of Le 79,980,000.
This was brought to light in a response of ACC Prosecution witness, Maada Makieu Konneh who is an investigating officer at the ACC as he was questioned by Lawyer Yada Williams. Mr Konneh was asked whether there was any evidence on the FCC bank statement to show that the first accused, Mayor Herbert Williams misappropriated the sum of Le 79,980,000 on the stated dates 1st April 2010 to 31st April 2010.
The ACC witness said he is aware of the fact that the Mayor was charged with the offence of misappropriation of public funds in the above stated sum purported to be payment for the relocation of evictees from the construction site at Fisher Street in Freetown. He added that he is also aware that the said construction is yet to commence as the contract has already be awarded to a contractor.
Lawyer Yada Williams presented a document to the witness to read in court. The document reveals that it is the Ministry of Lands that should provide land for the relocation of the evictees from the market site, and that the first money credited for the market construction was paid by the Ministry of Trade and Industry in the sum of Le 879,980,000.
Mr. Konneh further admitted that the sum of Le 13,442,500 was paid to Zenobian Enterprises and that the Mayor was charged with the misappropriation of that fund, which was for the payment for nine Swivel chairs and one metal cabinet for the FCC.
The witness disclosed that he spoke with the store keeper and procurement officer at FCC to cross check if the goods were delivered but found out that they were not. Lawyer Williams however challenged the witness on that stating that at presently three of the nine chairs are in the treasury office at the FCC but the witness said he cannot verify that claim.