Former SSHFC MD opens defence

Edward Graham, former managing director of Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, SSHFC, yesterday opened his defence at the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.

It was alleged that Edward Graham between January and December 2010, at Banjul, being employed in the public service as the managing director of the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation, willfully caused the loss of D73, 000 to the Home Finance Company Ltd a subsidiary of the SSHFC.

Graham told the court that he is aware of the charge against him, and he denied causing any economic loss to the company.

He told the court that he had never worked for the Home Finance Company, but for SSHFC as managing director, by virtue of which he was a board member of the company.

“I know Ancha Jammeh. She worked for the Home Finance Company, as the Finance Manager. I am aware of the circumstances surrounding her appointment at the Home Finance Company,” Graham told the court in his defence.

“During the board meeting, the general manager of Home Finance Company, Omar Sarr, informed the chairman of the company that the contract of Mr. Paul Bahoum was coming to an end, and they did not renew the contract of Mr. Paul Bahoum,” he continued.

 He added that later Omar Sarr submitted the application of Ancha Jammeh to the board for perusal.

He testified that the board set up a panel to interview Ancha Jammeh, which consisted of two chartered accountants, the MD, Omar Sarr and himself as the chairman of the panel.

Ancha Jammeh’s performance was assessed by the panel, he went on, adding that the GM said he was satisfied with Ancha’s performance and he (Sarr) would support her.

Graham further told the court that the panel appointed Ancha Jammeh based on the service conditions of the Home Finance Company.

“Based on these conditions, Ancha was appointed for six months and the Home Finance Company GM should assess her performance. If he was satisfied with the performance of Ancha, he should appoint her. If he was not satisfied, he should not appoint her,” he added.

Graham told the court that after the six months, the Home Finance Company GM confirmed Ancha.

“I did not order the Home Finance Company GM to hire a chartered accountant to train Ancha Jammeh. Omar Sarr is not answerable to me. The confirmation letter of Ancha Jammeh was written by Omar Sarr, the managing director of Home Finance Company,” Graham informed the court.

The case continues today.