By Jane B. Mansaray.
Alpha Mohamed Gottor, a civil servant working for the Government of Sierra Leone attached to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as Record Officer, has led evidence in the alleged corruption matter between the State and Alimamy Kamara, former Member of Parliament, Minister of Youth Affairs and Ambassador to Iran under the All Peoples Congress (APC) administration of former President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Led in evidence on oath by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Prosecutor, Lawyer Joel Tejan Deen Tarawalie, the prosecution witness, Alpha Mohamed Gottor said his responsibilities as record officer are to classify documents, storage of documents, giving reference number to documents and opening files of political appointees posted to our foreign missions.
Speaking from the witness box at the ACC High Court, Main Law Court Building on Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, presided over by High Court Judge, Justice Hannah Bonnie, Alpha Mohamed Gottor told the court that he knows the now accused person, Alimamy Kamara, whose file he dealt with, including his (accused) appointment letter as Ambassador Extra- Ordinary to the Republic of Iran dated 22nd June 2016, signed by former President, Ernest Bai Koroma and the recall-letter of the accused person dated 8th May 2018 authored by Momodu .A. Wurie and another recall- letter from H.E. President Retired Brigadier Maada Bio, dated 3rd May 2018. The recall letters were presented and were acknowledged by the witness, tendered and marked as court exhibits.
In cross examination conducted by Defense Counsel, Brima Koroma, the witness said as a Record Officer, he was not in possession of any gazzetted document touching on or concerning the accused person, Alimamy Kamara.
Answering to questions from Defense Counsel, Alpha Mohamed Gottor said the term or tenure of an Ambassador lies with the President. The witness went on to further to state that he had no publication from the ACC regarding the accused person in respect of the matter at the ACC.
The witness confirmed that he never had any personal dealing with or interaction with the accused person as an Ambassador.
Alpha Mohamed Gottor is an additional witness presented by the prosecutor on an application of notice of intention.
Lawyer Joel Tejan Deen Tarawalie said the application is made in the interest of justice and expeditious trial. He made the application pursuant to Section 89 sub-section 5 of ACC Act No,12 of 2008.
The trial Judge, Justice Hanna Bonnie granted the application with a no objection claim from Defense Counsel, and the matter was adjourned to the 7th February 2022 for further hearing.
The accused person Alimamy Kamara is before the court answering to nine counts of corruption indictment including failing to declare asset, of which he pleaded not guilty.
