Prosecution’s first witness Mr. Rafael Wilson has told a cross examination session with the defense team that National Housing Authority (NHA) Managing Director defendant Duannah Siryon allegedly acknowledged to be recorded while receiving money from one Augustine Weah.
Testifying Wednesday, 9 October at Court “C”, Witness Wilson told the defense that you can also hear from the audio recording that defendant Augustine Weah informed defendant Siryon that he was recording the NHA boss as to the money received by him (Siryon) and the conversation being held between them.
“In one of the offices of the National Housing Authority, you could also hear in the audio, the defendants discussing the unfair distribution of the USD$80,000 which Siryon received ..,” witness Wilson continues.
Mr. Siryon was NHA managing director, working along with co-defendants Tugbeh C. Tugbeh, NHA Deputy Director for Administration and Isaac Roberts, NHA Deputy Director for Technical Services when they were arrested, investigated and charged.
They were arrested following some alleged transactions that also involved one Augustine Weah, an alleged chief executive officer of Guss Group of Companies and one Emmanuel Tapsoba, a coordinator of Burkina Fasso – based company GELPAZ-IMMO.
The NHA officials are facing charges of alleged economic sabotage, theft of property, bribery, misapplication of entrusted property and criminal conspiracy.Their charges came amid a claim of allegedly taking bribes in connection to the construction of thousands of housing units for which the Liberian government and GELPAZ-IMMO had reached agreement.The defendants have denied the charges.
According to witness Wilson, defendant Siryon allegedly US$80,000, adding that this was also testified to and confirmed by defendant Augustine Weah.He details that defendant Weah admitted receiving USD$20,000 from defendant Siryon out of the US$80,000.
According to him, the basis of the investigation was US$19,000 [that came into the country], but notes that the three defendants – Siryon, Tugbeh and Robert – were brought to court in reference to the US$80,000 and the other amount received in Burkina Fasso.By Winston W. Parley
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