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Bun Sanneh continues his defence testimony

Nov 30, 2011, 12:13 PM | Article By: Malamin Conteh

Ibrahim Bun Sanneh, former Executive Director of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, NDEA, continued his defence testimony at the Special Criminal Court in the case involving him and four others.

Bun Sanneh told the court that he informed the NIA when the issue of the tampered drugs at the magistrates’ court was discovered, and that he took the necessary steps which was confirmed by the staff of the court.

He added that the tampered drugs were brought to the NIA by Alieu Jasseh, the exhibit keeper, and Modou Sillah, in the presence of the 2nd and the 3rd accused persons, further stating that it was Alhagie Morr who gave instructions for the tampered drugs to be handed over to the panel.

Bun Sanneh said two court staff were charged; adding that when he was the director at the NDEA, he was aware that a vehicle was impounded in Serrekunda containing cannabis sativa, but the vehicle was abandoned by the driver.

He added that the said vehicle was still stationed at CTI under the custody of the NDEA.

Still testifying, Bun Sanneh said: “There was a day I was going to my office; I heard the 2nd accused shouting. When I called him and asked him what he was shouting for, he told me that one Manjang Janko had approached him on the issue of the vehicle that was seized in Serrekunda, for it to be released.”

Still in his defence, he said the 2nd accused told him that he told Manjang Janko to produce the driver who abandoned the vehicle.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel for the fifth accused person, Bun admitted knowing Seedou Bojang, the 5th accused, because he (Bun) employed Seedou at the NDEA.

He said Seedou was his junior, and was obedient and respectful; had never disobeyed his order, adding that he equally knew Marie Sanneh.

He added that he relayed the amount to the board and the senior management team of the NDEA agreed on, which was the D150, 000 for the plea bargain concerning one Babucarr Jatta, who was caught with cannabis sativa.

The case continues on 5 December 2011.