John Charles Njie, former director of Pro-Pag, was on 11 March 2013 cross-examined by Lawyer S. Sillah, the defendant’s counsel.
John Charles Njie, the plaintiff, sued Pro-Pag at the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal for unlawful termination of his services.
In his testimony under cross-examination, he told the tribunal that Pro-Pag had some projects with UNICEF and the UNDP, adding that they had subvention from the Gambia government.
He adduced that he was familiar with the laws governing Pro-Pag but was not conversant with them, adding that he was not aware of issues affecting Pro-Pag, and that he had written a petition to the Office of the President.
He said he did so after he received his letter of termination.
Mr Njie further testified that he was given a letter which indicated that there were irregularities at Pro-Pag during the time he was the director, and denied that one of their sponsors was asking for their funds back.
He added that he was also claiming leave arrears.
Mr Njie posited that under the circumstance of the organisation during the time, it was not possible as the director to go on leave because they had crucial matters at the office and he had written to the chairperson explaining the circumstances.
He adduced that the chairperson had agreed for him to take a leave at an appropriate time, adding that this was put in writing and that the letter was at his home and he would make it available to the tribunal.
John Charles Njie testified that he had handed over the properties of the organisation, adding that upon leaving his office, there was complete inventory which was handed to his successor including a generator.
Concerning the documents, he adduced, he repeatedly told the new director that they were in his possession, and he was accused of removing his personal file from the list of files.
“Concerning the fuel, I have written a memo and handed it to the director including the receipts, showing the use of allocated funds,” Mr Njie told the tribunal.
He further revealed that there were some items at the office of the director and some were in other offices, adding that his termination emanated from a letter which was said to have been from the Office of the President as directive.
He adduced that the said letter was actually from the Ministry of Finance.
Mr Njie denied removing his personal file from the defendant’s office, adding that he obtained a degree in Economics and Social Studies at Furah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
The case was then adjourned till 19 March 2013.
