On the genesis of the 1 percent commission, he stated that when the mayor was newly elected, he convened a meeting with market collectors and masters, which was centred on the work of the market unit.
“It was where the Mayor announced the 1 percent commission,” Joof testified, later adding that the amount depended on what was collected.
He testified that they used to receive the commission every three months and they would sign. He was requested to bring the vouchers receiving the payment.
Joof, whose employment dates back to 13 August 2012, was the market master for Latrikunda Market responsible for the canteen. He said he said the other market master was responsible for the daily collection. He said that he was responsible for 502 canteens.
He testified that he had the list of the canteens. He said he had a book that contains the names of the people occupying the canteens, the amounts they pay and other details. He said the information is also recorded in a cash book, which he takes to the Council. He said the books were not in his custody but expressed the belief that the current market master, Mustapha Danso, is having them.
Joof produced seven cash books covering 2020, 2021, and 2023. He claimed that some of his cash books were with the investigators of the Commission.
The witness said the cash books were kept in the old KMC building, adding that the exhausted cash books were handed to the internal auditors. He testified that the 2018 and 2019 cash books were with the internal audit department. The Commission requested him to go to the audit department to collect his cash book and bring it to the commission.
There were also questions asked regarding his collections. The Commission also raised a series of adverse audit findings against him regarding various transactions.
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