By Jane B. Mansaray.
The alleged corruption case between the state and six senior officials of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) has been adjourned by the presiding Judge, Justice Mohamed Bawoh.
The matter was adjourned to the 5th August 2021 for hearing of the second prosecution witness, after the first prosecution witness, Joseph Sallu Foray has completed his evidence in chief and cross examined by defense counsels yesterday at the Anti – Corruption Commission (ACC) Court on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown.
Lawyer Ibrahim Issa Mansaray cross examined the prosecution witness on behalf of the first accused person, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, Honorable Lawyer Hindolo M. Gavao cross examined on behalf of the fourth and sixth accused persons, Hartwell Williams and Festus Musa respectively, while Lawyer Kamanda and Nabieu separately cross examined on behalf of the second accused person, Peter Joseph Menjor and Victor Alpha.
PW1, Joseph Sallu Foray, an investigator and head of the Financial Investigation Unit (FIU) at the ACC Intelligence and Investigation Department was led in evidence by ACC Prosecutor, Sarifou Hancilles.
Paul Sobba Massaquoi Executive Director, Peter Joseph Menjor Acting Director of Procurement, Fodie U.K Dabor Acting Director of Finance, Hartwell Williams Quality and Assurance Manager, Victor Alpha Human Resource Manager and Festus Musa Procurement Supervisor; all of SLMA are before the court answering to five counts related corruption offences, ranging from conspiracy, failure to comply with applicable procedures and guidelines to knowingly misleading the commission contrary to Act No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the Anti- Corruption Act No.9 of 2019, respectively.
At their first appearance in court, the accused persons denied the charges put to them and they were granted bail on the same bail condition earlier granted by ACC during preliminary investigation conducted at the ACC Headquarters in Freetown.
