The Kemayah Rice Distribution Committee, in conjunction with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), says it donated Saudi rice to the Lakpazee Community through the community chairman, but the community Chairman has denied in court that he knows of any rice donation or distribution.
Lakpazee Community Chairman Isaac K. Wedee has told Criminal Court “C” that his community did not receive any of the Saudi-donated rice. Taking the witness stand, Wedee said he did not receive rice from the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and he was not aware of anyone in Lakpazee receiving any. He also confirmed a statement he earlier gave to the Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce, in which he denied that the community received the rice.
Wedee said Lakpazee is made up of seven blocks, each headed by a block leader. He told the court that if relief supplies were brought into the community, the leaders would normally know about them and take part in their distribution. Defense lawyers questioned how certain Wedee could be about his statement, asking whether he had spoken with all seven block leaders before talking to investigators.
The court also heard that 5,000 bags of rice reportedly meant for the Gbarnga Regional Hub never arrived there. A witness said 280 bags were the largest single donation received at the hub.
The trial involves former Foreign Affairs Minister Dee-Maxwell Saah Kemayah, former deputy foreign affairs official Thelma Sawyer, NDMA officials and others accused of offenses including theft of property, economic sabotage, misuse of public resources and abuse of office. The defendants have denied the allegations and remain presumed innocent unless proven guilty, while the prosecution is required to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
