The Sierra Leone Cable Limited (SALCAB) Field Level Maintenance Manager, Sylvester Jeremiah Elliot, on Monday 5th August 2019, appeared before Bankole Thompson to give evidence on money he received from the institution. He was led in evidence by State lawyer, Robert B. Kowa. He testified that his main task at SALCAB was to maintain and operate the terrestrial fibre optic cable. He said on various dates in 2016 and 2017, he received $11,832 USD. He acknowledged receipt of the money. He agreed that his name was on a document shown in Court by R.B. Kowa. He said the monies were for daily subsistence for travelling to three different African countries, Principe and Sao Tome, Benin and Mauritius.
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Elliot said that he made the trips to attend the African Coast to Europe Submarine Fibre Optic Cable Sub-Committee meetings. They focused on the Procurement Group and the Assignment, Routing and Restoration on behalf of SALCAB. He said that he did not know whether his travels were approved by the Board of Directors of SALCAB. He explained that he submitted a written report to the SALCAB management after each trip including hotel receipts. These documents were submitted in Court as evidence and no objection was made by opposing lawyers. However, he said the hotel receipts for the third trip have not been found in the administrator’s office. He said he wants his statement made to the Secretariat of the Commission of Inquiry to be seen. It was produced in Court and admitted into evidence. After his testimony, Bankole Thompson thanked him for what he called his public spiritedness in coming to the Commission to testify. He subsequently released him from the witness stand.
DT/7/8/19
By David Thoronka
Thursday August 08, 2019.
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