Debunking what he referred to as fake and misleading news published by some local tabloid against him and his institution recently, Sky Marshall, commonly called SKM has encouraged journalists to practice clean journalism.
He said SKM is a one-stop-shop business company registered in Sierra Leone and Liberia and part of the private sector, owned and run by a Sierra Leonean with establishments across the country with hundreds of employment opportunities provided for Sierra Leoneans.
Marshall explained that: “In 2021, SKM took a matter to court against Leonoil for some unfair business dealing after procuring 200,000 liters of fuel (Petrol and Diesel). This was a time Sierra Leone was on a public health emergency following the Covid-19 outbreak and every movement of humans and vehicles was authorized by a pass.
“After the payment made by Jaffar for a total of 200,000 liters of fuel at Le7,000 old Leones, and all documents that guaranteed payment were issued, he, on behalf of his company (SKM), requested Leonoil to keep his products so that he could secure passes for his bulk road vehicles (Tankers) and that was granted.
“A weeks later (27th January – 4th February 2021), Jaffar Hussein Zeghir, Chief Executive Officer, SKM returned to collect his paid for product but was refused by Leonoil following-price increase from Le7,000 to Le8,500 old Leones. The company’s vehicles spent two days at the terminal and returned empty without supplies.
“After several engagements between SKM CEO Jaffar and Leonoil Ibrahim Cole, there was no headway. Jaffar decided to seek redress in court. Three years later, a judgment was handed with some orders by Justice SO Tailor on the 7th day of February 2024 in favor of CEO Jaffar Hussein Zeghir.
“Eventually, Leonoil filed in for a stay of execution and the court took its time to look into the reasons advanced for the stay of execution. After two appearances, the court again ruled in favor of Jaffar Zeghir and some orders were again issued by the court which were flouted on the pretext of an appeal against the ruling of the High Court”.
He said several local newspapers have put out fake and misleading stories relating to the matter in question without souring the other side, adding that Jaffar did not at any given time purchase 430,000 liters of fuel from Leonoil rather than 200,000.
Marshall said Jaffar did not at any point in time receive a single call from Leonoil to collect his products, neither was he informed prior about a possible price hike by the government at the time and that Jaffar did not at any given time collect a single liter from the 200,000 liters of fuel he paid for.
Above all, Marshall went on, during payment for the 200,000 liters of fuel in 2021 to Leonoil and all evidence that guarantees the payment made by Jaffar, all tax obligations were honored upfront. In that regard, Jaffar nor his company (SKM) do not owe Leonoil or the National Revenue Authority a dime as tax.
He said all taxes were charged at the cost paid for the 200,000 liters of fuel by Jaffar costing Le1,296,400,000.00 old leones (One Billion Two Hundred and Ninety Six Million Four Hundred Thousand).
