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The first accused in the alleged corruption at the Sierra Leone Chancery Building (Mission) in New York, Mr. Saidu Nallo, yesterday continued with his evidence in defense at the High Court in Freetown, presided by Justice Adrian Fisher.
Mr. Saidu Nallo, who was the former Head of Chancery in New York, started his testimony in defense last Friday (14th July 2023), and was led by his legal representative Mohamed Pa. Momoh Fofana.
Speaking from the witness box, the first Defense Witness (DW1) said the status of the Sierra Leone Permanent Mission Chancery Building in New York became worse since 2015, inhabitable and unfit for purpose, and needed urgent overhaul.
The entire Chancery Building, from the basement to all the floors was decaying, with broken doors and windows and leakages of pipes, while rats and cockroaches were running riot in the building.
Within the same period of 2015, Mr. Nallo said they were to move from the Chancery Building to the 8th Floor of the Uganda House on rent and with monthly payment for only two offices and with an open space.
According to Saidu Nallo, he held the position of Head of Chancery since 2015. He also recalled a two Million United States Dollars provided by development partners for the renovation project of the Chancery Building.
Since September 2017, there was stop work order at the chancery building due to lack of funding, legal suit and authorities from various departments in New York.
The matter has been adjourned for continuation of DW1 testimony.
