By Ralph Sesay
As the state presents the nineteen (19th) witness on the probe into the country’s mineral sector in the person of the current Finance Manager at Sierra Rutile Limited, Sierra Leone, Mr. Maurice Cole, the issues around whether the Government of former President Ernest Koroma sold 30% owned by the Government of Sierra Leone to Sierra Rutile Limited as alleged by the state, is still in limbo.
The witness who was led in evidence by lead state counsel, Oladipo Robin Mason was shown several documents relating to the issues.
The exhibits which included an agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Sierra Rutile Holdings Limited, a Company registered at Virginia Islands in the United Kingdom, shares certificate issued by the Sierra Rutile Limited to the Government of Sierra Leone reporting that Government had 7,085 ,000 shares at the company as a result of the transfer of PAYE tax.
Payment instruction addressed to the Standards Chartered Bank in the United Kingdom was presented as exhibits and John Sisay and Joseph Clooney were signatories respectively.
The instruction had directed the debiting of over 12 million United States Dollars to the Bank of Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Account.
The State presented other key documents to the Commission to show what transpired between Sierra Rutile Holdings, Sierra Rutile Acquisition No 3 and Sierra Rutile Limited Sierra Leone culminating into the sale of 7% shares owned by the Government.
The witness upon cross examination by Berthan Macauley Junior and Ade Macauley representing Sierra Rutile and both Ministers Minkailu Mansaray and Ignosi Koroma respectively noted that a total of over seven thousand shares owned as a result of PAYE tax, was in way commensurate to 30% and that the formula used for the calculation was contained in the agreement between the Government and Sierra Rutile Holdings Limited.
Justice Biobele Georgewill directed that the defense counsel for the persons of interest present a written address to the Commission on the 19th August, 2019.
The probe on the Sierra Rutile sale of 30% shares was a subject of a Governance Transition Team Report in which it was alleged the Government of former President, Ernest Bai Koroma through the Ministry of Finance under the watch of March 2018 flag bearer for the main opposition All People’s Congress, Dr. Samura Kamara had sold 30% shares to Sierra Rutile.
Several witness have testified from both the state and the persons of interest but sufficient evidence is yet to be adduced around the allegation that the former Government sold 30% to Sierra Rutile.