By: Fatoumatta KruballyIn a surprising turn of events at the Local Government Commission of Inquiry, Alieu Danso, a prominent businessman in Serrekunda, refuted claims that Sainabou Martin directly requested a bribe from him. Despite previous allegations, Danso stated, “Sainabou did not call me. She did not request the D1,000,000 directly from me. Baboucar was the one who told me that she requested D1,000,000.
“Danso, who is the owner of Almot Real Estate Company, detailed his interactions with the KMC Staff Welfare Association regarding a land transaction that involved changing agricultural land to residential. He explained the process of signing an agreement with the KMC and how Sainabou Martin-Sonko, the former CEO, never directly solicited any payment from him.Moreover, Danso clarified the issue of the D30,000 he allegedly gave to Sainabou Martin-Sonko, stating that it was a loan and not a bribe.
He emphasized, “I gave her D30,000 as a loan. I told her when she came back, she should refund me the money. She assured me that when she returned from Senegal, she would repay the money.
”Lead Counsel Gomez questioned Danso’s relationship with the KMC and the nature of his dealings with Sainabou Martin-Sonko. Despite discrepancies in their testimonies, Danso maintained his stance that he acted in good faith and did not engage in any bribery attempts.
As the inquiry delved deeper into the details of the land transaction and the alleged bribe request, Danso revealed conflicting accounts regarding the ownership of the land and payment obligations. Lead Counsel Gomez challenged Danso’s claims, highlighting inconsistencies and gaps in his testimony.
Alieu Danso’s testimony shed new light on the bribery allegations involving Sainabou Martin-Sonko, clearing her of direct involvement in soliciting illegal payments.
The inquiry continues to unravel the complexities of the case, raising questions about transparency and accountability in the real estate sector.
