Alleged fraud and theft trial proceeds

The criminal trial involving Lamin Shabba Danso recently proceeded at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Drammeh with the testimony of the second prosecution witness (PW2), Ousainou George.

It would be recalled that the accused, Lamin Shabba Danso, is standing trial on two counts of obtaining money by false pretence and stealing, charges he has denied.

Testifying for the prosecution, Ousainou George told the court that he recognised the accused.

He said the accused came to him when he was in need of money to buy a vehicle, adding: “The accused demanded D112,000 from me.”

He further revealed that the accused handed over a vehicle (BMW) with registration number Shabba 10 to him (witness) for him to give him the said money, which he did.

“The accused told me that he would pay me after the end of the tourist reason,” said the witness.

According to the witness, when the vehicle was with him, his younger brother (witness) came from Europe with his friend and took the vehicle to one of the hotels.

He narrated that the friend later called his brother saying the police had impounded the vehicle. “We went to Kotu Police Station, where the vehicle was confiscated,” the witness added.

He indicated further that at the station, he was informed by the police that a white lady had earlier made a report concerning the said vehicle.

“The accused one time told me that he would come with a white lady to my compound in order to see the said vehicle,” he added.

Still testifying, the witness adduced that when he was asked to make a statement, he responded that he knew nothing about the issue.

He told the court that he could recognise the said BMW and the insurance.  The prosecutor showed him the insurance, which he identified and was tendered and admitted as an exhibit.

Case was at that point set to continue on 28 April 2011.