In response to a series of contentious reports, Leonoil Company Limited, one of the leading petroleum marketing firms in Sierra Leone has clarified details regarding a disputed transaction with SKM Enterprise owned by Jaffer Zeghir, who is the chief executive officer.
The transaction is said to have occurred occurred three years ago.
The controversy stems from allegations of tax evasion associated with a fuel purchase in which Zeghir only uplifted 230,000 of the 430,000 litres paid for leaving 200,000 litres amid pending price changes by the Sierra Leonean government.
Leonoil has faced a barrage of negative press reports and CEO Ibrahim Cole says those press reports are rife with inaccuracies and misleading statements about the case.
Setting the records straight, Leonoil made moves to notify Zeghir of the impending price hike, urging him to collect the remaining fuel.
Despite their warnings and standard practices to settle price differences in post-government adjustments, Zeghir refused to either uplift the fuel or pay the increased amount, leading to Leonoil’s attempts to refund the payment for the uncollected fuel – attempts that Zeghir rebuffed, according to statements by the oil firm.
The company has emphasized that its operating standards, which require buyers to pay the difference when government-imposed prices rise are commonly accepted and practiced by various entities, including State House and foreign embassies.
The standard has been upheld consistently for over four decades.
After a controversial court judgment which favoured Zeghir as it exempt him and SKM enterprise from paying the government taxes on the un-lifted fuel, Leonoil lodged an appeal thereafter.
Thes legal move by Leonoil challenged the initial ruling, which the company believed contravened Sierra Leonean tax laws and was said to have set a dangerous precedents for potential tax evasion.
Leonoil’s statement also points to Zeghir’s history of disparaging remarks being directed at government officials, including the ministers of finance, trade and the financial secretary.
This is often aired on social media and reported in local newspapers raising questions about his motivations and those backing him over the years.
His persistent behaviours at attacking government authorities, institutions and dodging from paying tax raises the question about whether Zeghir has an ulterior motive which seems to be undermining the efforts of the Sierra Leone government to be brought to book.
The Appeal Court is yet to commence hearing on the matter, and Leonoil contests the circulating news that it has already lost the case, affirming its commitment to the rule of law and integrity, it said.
The company says it remains steadfast in its belief that the appeal will correct the wrongs they consider to be unjust ruling.
And until this happens, the matter for the time being remains unresolved, it said. It is advised that when the Appeal Court sits on the matter for a proper ruling and settlement then social media and other news outlets must refrain from commenting on the matter. Because according to state law matters that are before any competent court of law are not to be commented on so that such matters may not to be prejudiced before they are concluded.
Anyone who is caught doing this unlawful act risks being tried or even jailed as he he/she will be found guilty for a crime known as contempt of court. Other concerned Sierra Leoneans have asked critical questions. When the price of fuel drops what often does Jaffer Zeghir do in reverse? It must be reiterated that as a matter of fact it was understood that whenever prices go up State House itself normally pays the differences and so what is so special about Jaffer Zeghir for him not to pay? If he did receive the product during that period, three years ago, dating back to 2021, how much he intended to sell it?