Malick Mba’I , counsel for Mr.Bala Jassey, telecom expert and proprietor of Mobicel Company, addressing the Janneh Commission on behalf of his client stated that Mr.Jassey was not a close associate of the former president.
Lawyer Mba’I, in his address, told the commission that his client was summoned on 31 January, 2018, and testified before the commission. He stated that his client was not involved in the gateway international but testified in relation to Mobicel.
He said the commission should verify the evidence in relation to Mobicel, MGI and the international gateway before coming to a conclusion, further stating that in determining the evidence, the commission should find out whether it is relevant and consistent.
Counsel Mba’I further told the commission that Mr.Kebbeh did not give any substantial evidence before the commission, indicating that his evidence was fabricated and not substantiated. He also dwelled on the evidence of Mr.Mendy of GAMTEL, and said that his evidence was not credible.
He adduced that the evidence before the commission indicated that Mobicel and MGI were just giving technical support, and that Mr.Jassey issued invoices concerning payments before the commission.
He went on to say that it was not proved that Mobicel and MGI were paid a sum of money as stated before the commission, noting that Mr.Kebbeh could not confirm that D28 million was more than what should have been paid to the said companies.
He stated that Sarjo Khan said in his evidence that GAMTEL lacked the training to deploy the CISCO unified telecommunication system, adding that it was not proved that GAMTEL had the capacity to deploy the said system.
He further disclosed that Gamtel entered into a contract with Mobicel for the installation of a telecommunication system at the National Assembly, and that Mobicel did the contract satisfactorily.
Counsel Mbai’l said that it was normal to give donation to the former First Lady’s foundation, and there was nothing wrong with BallaJassey giving donation to the foundation, adding that Mr.Jassey had no financial dealing with the former president.
He argued that the evidence presented before the commission could not justify the interim order made by the commission against Mr.Jassey, further stating that Njogu Bah denied in his evidence that he was present when the alleged bribery of US$2 Million was given to the former president.
He went on to say that Mr.Bah’s evidence was not reliable, and did not corroborate to the evidence before the commission, further indicating that evidence against Mr.Jassey was fabricated and was done in hatred.
At this juncture, Counsel Bensouda told the commission that she would like to reply to the address made by Counsel Mba’i. Chairman SurahataJanneh told her that notices would be issued for her to reply.
Edrissa Mass Jobe, an engineer, was also summoned in connection to the Gam Petroleum storage facility at Mandinary. He confirmed that he became involved in the company and that he was the Director at the storage, adding that Mandinary was the best place for the storage facility.
He testified that he worked for Shell Company for 12 years, further disclosing that he was identifying an appropriate place for the facility. He adduced that he went to the said village where he found a place which was suitable for the storage facility, indicating that he was doing the project for himself.
Mr.Jobe told the commission that he did not identify the location at Bonto, and that his first concern was for a storage facility to be built at Mandinary. He stated that unfortunately he did not have the money to build the facility at Mandinary, adducing that he did not know that the land was acquired from the villagers.
He further testified that he was not paid by Amadou Samba and that he was just representing him to acquire the land. At this juncture, he was shown an environmental impact assessment document, which he confirmed. He revealed that he was aware of an amount of money given to the villagers, but did not know how much the land was evaluated for.
His statements were shown to him which he confirmed, and he added that he was not involved in the negotiation of the compensation to be given to the villagers. He went on to say that he was not aware of the transactions taking place.
Prince EbrahimSanyang, the Managing Director of Royal Africa Capital Holding Company Ltd, failed to appear before the commission. The secretary to the commission then informed the commission that Mr.Sanyang was served through “The Point” and “The Standard” newspapers.