Former Sifoe Farm manager's trial continues

The trial of Karafa Sanneh, former Manager of Sifoe Farm recently continued at the Brikama Magistrates' Court before magistrate Emmanuel Nkea.

Karafa Sanneh was charged with, among others, giving false information to a public officer, stealing, obtaining money by false pretence, and making false document.

When hearing resumed last Wednesday, the court heard the testimony of Jerreh Sanneh, the Director of Solifo Investment Company, under cross-examination by the defence counsel Buba Jawo.

Mr. Sanneh told the court that he obtained a licence from the Geology Department for sand mining. However, when asked by the counsel to produce the said licence, he said he could not find it in his office.

Counsel then put it to him that he did not have any licence pertaining to sand mining, but Sanneh maintained that he had a licence.

When counsel further put it to him that it was the former IGP who gave him the authorisation to do sand mining, Sanneh again denied that assertion.

Asked whether he has shares in Solifo Investment Company, he replied in the positive.

Counsel asked whether there is anything in exhibit P4 which directs how to withdraw money from the Solifo account, and Sanneh replied in the negative.

Asked whether there was anything in the same exhibit P4, which prohibits the accused person from withdrawing money from that account, he replied in the negative.

When further asked whether there was anything in exhibit P4 which says before you pay the royalty you must withdraw the money from the Solifo account, he replied in the negative.

Asked who employs the workers engaged in the sand mining, Sanneh said he employs them.

Counsel then said that there is nowhere in exhibit P3 to show that he the witness instructed the accused person to pay the employees for the sand mining.

Counsel further asked whether Sanneh gave appointment letters to those he employed for the sand mining, and Sanneh replied that he only appointed the accused person. He added that he (the accused person) has the right to employ other workers, because he was then the Manager.

Asked whether the dismissal of the accused was because of the sand mining, Sanneh replied in the negative.

When asked again by counsel whether he has shares in Solifo Investment Company, Sanneh replied in the positive, adding that he owns the company.

Asked whether he has interest in that account, he also replied in the affirmative.

Counsel at that juncture put it to him that he did not have any share in the Solifo account No: 00300100000821, but Sanneh denied that assertion.

Sanneh was also asked whether he wrote to the President, and he replied in the positive.

The counsel then put it to him that the reason why the Geology Department did not reply to his letter was because they know that he has no license. However, Sanneh said that was not true.

Hearing continues.