Maada Makieu Konneh, Investigation Officer at the Anti Corruption Commission ACC, in the ongoing trial of Mayor Herbert G. Williams and eight others, yesterday disclosed that the cost of the construction of a market complex and a mini shopping centre at Fisher Street is three billion, four hundred and twenty-nine million, eight hundred and twenty-five thousand, five hundred Leones (Le 3,429,825,500).
Under cross examination by lawyer Shears-Moses representing Alie Shabban the ninth accused person, the witness stated that exhibit AAA is a request for transfer of funds to the Minister of Trade and Industry Mr. David Carew, in the sum of Seven hundred and sixty million Leones (Le 760 million) in respect of the construction of the Fisher Street Market. The witness explained that the contract has to do partly with the Ministry of Trade and Industry and Freetown City Council (FCC) according to the exhibit.
According to Mr. Konneh, Alie Shabban is not an employee at FCC but in care of Waka Fast Construction Company, and that exhibit YY is a payment voucher No. 003 in respect of the construction of the said market.
He maintained that the document does not state how the payment should be made, adding that exhibit “CCC” which is a report on the status of the construction of the market at Fisher Street was addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry as the construction did not commence simply because squatters are still residing in the proposed site.
The witness disclosed that the matter came up as a result of information being given to the Anti Corruption Commission that a contract was awarded to Waka Fast for the construction of a market at Fisher Street, adding that according to the voucher the sum of the Eight hundred million Leones (Le800 million) given was received by the ninth accused person.
A document was given to the witness to read, in which he said that exhibit ZZ is a cheque from Rokel Commercial Bank in the sum of Seven hundred and Sixty million Leones (Le 760 million) was transferred to the Minister of Trade, and the other cheque from the same Bank for Forty million Leones (Le 40 million) was paid to the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and not Alie Shabban as both cheques equals to Eight hundred million Leones (Le 800 million).
“The witness is in court for misappropriation of Le 800 Million,” said the witness.
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