In Afsatu’s trial … Prosecution closescase today

The prosecution counsel will today close their case involving the former Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) Haja Afsatu Kabba. She is facing alleged corruption charges brought against her by the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC).
Led in evidence by ACC Prosecutor Calvin Matsebo, the 11th protected witness said that he is employed at Fourah Bay College (FBC) and also Chairman of the Protection Radiation Board under the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MEWR). He explained that his duties involved supervision of the Protection Radiation Secretariat.
The 11th witness maintained that his functions include approving the recruitment process of staff. Asked by the Prosecutor if he signed the letter of appointment for Ibrahim Kabba son of Haja Afsatu Kabba, he replied in the affirmative.
Further asked if he was involved in the recruitment of Ibrahim Kabba he replied no. The appointment letter of Ibrahim Kabba was tendered as exhibit EE. The 12th witness said he resides at Sulima, Pujehun District, and he is a harbor master. He explained that as harbor master he writes out manifests for fishermen and their crew going in and out of the sea, settle dispute among fishermen, enforce government policy and search boats for illegal items.
The protected witness maintained that he does not work for any government Ministry but report to the MFMR. Exhibit G1 payment voucher of Le30 Million for sensitization workshop on Fisheries Management issues in Sulima was showed to him by the prosecutor and he was asked if any workshop was held, he replied in the negative.
The 13th Witness employed as Agriculture Instructor attached to the Fisheries experimental station in Bo was showed exhibit D1 payment voucher that relates to the expenses of Le35 Million for pond construction and training workshop in Makali and Bo and the witness said that no training workshop or construction of Pond was done.
The 14th witness who is Fisheries Remunerator attached at Gbondapi, Pujehun District stated that his duty is to collect data within fishing communities. Exhibit J1 a document prepared for the construction or rehabilitation of out station at Tombo and Gbondapi was showed to him and asked if rehabilitation or construction was made, and he replied no.
No cross examination was made by the Defence counsel, but they were quick to object to the prosecution’s next witness. Defence counsel Blyden Jenkins Johnston objected on the grounds that the ACC has indicated that they have 14 witnesses and they have already exhausted the names of witness given to them.
He observed that if the Prosecution wants to call another witness, they must serve them with notice. The Prosecutor asked for an adjourned date to serve the defence with notice.
The matter was adjourned for today
By Abibatu Kamara