Ibrahim Bun Sanneh, former executive director of the National Drug Enforcement Agency, was yesterday cross-examined by defence counsel LK Mboge in the trial involving him and four others at the Special Criminal Court in
Under cross-examination, Sanneh told the court that all plea bargaining monies are paid in court and not in his office, and denied having any knowledge of the D150, 000, even though the money was paid to the agency’s accountant.
He added that it would be incorrect for the 5th accused, Seedy Bojang, to receive an incomplete amount from Marie Sanneh, denying further that he had ever called the accountant into his office and ordered him to pay the money to Marie, which was received from Marie.
Testifying further, Bun said Marie demanded D70,000 and he ordered the accountant to pay to Marie D70,000 so that the payment could be completed, because the NDEA had nothing to lose, since with or without the payment the matter still goes to court.
Bun told the court that he was not aware that Marie Sanneh had made two installment payments, further stating that the reason he instructed the accountant to pay the money to Marie was because Marie had demanded for her money.
He added that the money at that time did not belong to the state, because the payment was incomplete.
He further told the court that he instructed the accountant to provide money to the mechanic to repair the vehicle, but denied instructing him to put the vehicle on the road.
The case continues today.
Ibrahim Bun Sanneh, former NDEA Executive Director, Karamo Bojang, former Deputy Chief of the Agency, Ousman Sanneh, former Commissioner of Operations of the Agency, Seedou Bojang, the Agency’s accountant, and one Marie Sanneh, were indicted by state prosecutors under a 30-count charge.
The alleged offences include conspiracy to commit felony, stealing by person in public service, aiding and abetting, unlawful possession of firearm, unlawful possession of live ammunitions, concealment and destroying of evidence, official corruption, abuse of office, obtaining money by false pretence, making document without authority, among others.
