Rtd. Major Paolo Conteh, former Minister of Defence and Internal Affairs in the Ernest Koroma led- government, has made physical appearance before Justice Biobele Georgewill in the ongoing probe into assets of Persons of Interest at the behest of his defence team led by Ady Macauley.
The former military strong man was led in evidence by his lawyers to clarify his affidavit on various properties he has in Freetown.
He told the Commission that his properties at Bintumani Drive, Aberdeen, Belewah Drive Wilberforce, Conteh Street in Makeni and a piece of land at Mammah Beach in Freetown, were deliberately exaggerated by the state valuator, Olu Campbell.
Rtd. Major Conteh added that his property at Bintumani Drive, Aberdeen was valued at USD 270,000 and that construction work started in 2009 and ended two years later, and that proceeds to build the house were from sale of his mortgage house in London, per diems, allowances and salaries while serving as Minister of Defense.
The State Valuator had earlier on testified to the Commission that the said house cost USD 1.6 million.
The former Minister of Defense also stated that he was an accomplished professional, having served the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces which he joined in 1976 and also served as a Lawyer and Team Leader in charge of Prosecutions, Department of Works and Pensions in the UK Civil Service.
Paolo Conteh also indicated that his properties at Belewah Drive, Wilberforce is valued at USD 320,000 contrary to USD 1.2 million as stated by Olu Campbell, State Valuator.
He also continued his testimony by telling the Commission that the house at Conteh Street in Makeni is a family house and that he is the eight member of his family, and that he only owns part of the property.
On the one acre piece of land at Mammah Beach, Rtd. Major Conteh noted that it was given to him free of charge and that he has a gift of deed to the effect.
The State Valuator says the land cost USD 312, 000. Paolo Conteh also told the Commission that he had landed property amounting to over 19,000 Pounds at the City Bank in the UK before becoming Minister and had evidences in his declaration form to Parliament prior to him taking over office as Defense Minister in 2007.
He also disclosed that he earned a total of USD 168,000 after serving as Chief Executive Officer in the National Ebola Response Commission (NERC) after serving for fourteen months.
Responding to questions from Lead State Counsel, Robin Mason, Rtd. Major Conteh could not say how much total emoluments were for the rest of his service as Minister of Defense twice and Minister of Internal Affairs.
Rtd. Major Conteh was also squeezed on whether he is aware that all his properties could have appreciated some value since their initial construction some ten years ago, and he responded that he is not an economist and could not tell.