February 9, 2017 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma
Bai Sheka Kamara, Payroll Officer and Claudius Williams, Senior Payroll Analyst, attached to the Finance office at Sierra Rutile Mining Company Limited are currently undergoing preliminary investigation before the Principal Magistrate of the Freetown Magistrates’ Court No.1, Dr. Abou Bhakarr Binneh Kamara, on 20 count charges ranging from conspiracy, embezzlement to larceny by servant contrary to law.
The particulars of offence states that the duo on a date unknown between 1st January, and 30th September, 2016, at Sierra Rutile Mining Company, Rutile town, Imperi Chiefdom in Moyamba District, conspired with other persons unknown to commit a crime to wit embezzlement.
The prosecution alleges that both accused on the above date and address, embezzled 77 thousand United States Dollars, monies belonging to the Sierra Rutile Mining Company.
Testifying in court yesterday, Zyna Gooding Brown, who introduced herself as Internal Audit Manager at the Sierra Rutile Mining Company, told the court that she knew both accused persons as employees of the company.
She further testified recalling 28th September, 2016, when the Finance Manager of the company requested her to prepare a full Audit report on the payment of causal workers of the company, which she did and submitted the said report that contained her findings.
She further testified that upon the submission of the report on the 7th November, 2016, the Finance Manager further requested that she did another report on cash payment, including cash returns to payroll and disbursement, which she also did and submitted it on 16 November, 2016.
She testified that she was later invited at the Criminal Investigations Department, where she made statement.
Matter to continues.