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Momodou
Denmark
11840 Posts |
 Posted - 20 Mar 2007 : 13:45:03
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IN IEC FORGERY TRIAL
EX-CHAIRMAN CROSS-EXAMINED
By Bubacarr K. Sowe
Ndondi Njie, ex-chairman of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) was on Wednesday cross-examined in the alleged forgery trial of Kawsu Ceesay, Chief Electoral Officer of the IEC.
Mr. Njie recognised a pro forma invoice from Code Incorporate and also agreed that Mr. Ceesay was instructed by commissioners at the IEC to look for pro forma invoices. Mr. Njie told the court that he knew that the IEC has been doing business with Code Incorporate.
Njie also said that he had meetings with the president during his tenure, but denied that the president promised to give funds to the IEC. He also said that he used to make both verbal and written instructions to IEC staff.
The ex-chairman also said that he did not sign a Memo shown to him in court. Asked whether he is consistent with his signature, Njie said he is, noting that his bank manager does not doubt his signature. He also said that he has both a voter's card and an identity card with his signature on them. Njie also said that he used to sign documents at the IEC. On two documents shown to him, he said that his signatures on them look slightly different, but denied signing the document instructing the accounts department of the IEC to effect payment to Code Incorporate in excess of 6 million dalasi, which he argued IEC did not have at the time. He said that he know Mr. Ceesay is in court on a forgery charge. He added that he does not know what Ceesay will gain in forging his signature. He also said that he blamed Ceesay as he would have done to every one else on matters of principle and decorum.
Mr. Ceesay is standing trial for allegedly forging the signature of the former IEC Chairman Ndondi Njie purporting the approval of purchase of electoral materials from Code Incorporate, a Canadian firm. Mr. Njie was cross-examined by defence counsel Musa Batchilly, while A.S Umar represented the state. The trial is expected to continue on March 27th before Magistrate Babucarr Secka of the Kanifing Magistrate Court.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 32/2007, 19 - 20 March 2007
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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