The
criminal trial involving the state against four accused persons charged with
the offence of murder, conspiracy to commit felony and robbery resumed
yesterday before Justice E. Dada at the High Court in Banjul.
The
accused persons are Muhammed Jaw, Alhagie Ousman Nyang, Sheikh A. T. Ndongo and
Amat Gaye.
The
prosecution alleged that the accused persons on 9 February 2013, at Nema Garage at Latrikunda
Sabiji in the Kanifing Municipality of The Gambia, unlawfully caused the death
of one Amadou Bah by breaking his neck and suffocating him with a piece of
cloth, knowing that death would be the probable consequence of such act.
The
prosecution further alleged that the accused persons conspired to rob with
violence a cash tank containing the sum of ninety-five thousand, five hundred
dalasi and a mobile phone from the said Amadou Bah on 9 February 2013, at Nema
Garage in Latrikunda Sabiji in the Kanifing Municipality.
The
prosecution also alleged that the persons on the said date and place, whilst
using physical violence on the deceased (Amadou Bah), stole a cash tank
containing ninety-five thousand, five hundred dalasi and a Samsung mobile
phone.
The
prosecution led by principal state counsel A. Adeyemi called ten witnesses and
tendered several exhibits.
Some
of the exhibits tendered included the cash tank, the piece of cloth used in
suffocating the deceased, telephone printouts, the shirt of the deceased, the
Samsung mobile phone, among others.
The
first accused had opened his defence, and was cross examined by the state.
During
yesterday’s sitting, the second accused, Alhagie Ousman Nyang, a businessman
and a resident of Latrikunda Sabiji, opened his defence.
In
his testimony before the court, the accused denied the charges against him, and
said on 4 March 2013, in the early morning hours he hired a taxi driven by the
third accused, Amat Gaye to carry seven gas bottles to the compound of the
third accused, Sheikh A.T. Ndongo.
Continuing
his evidence-in-chief, the accused said upon arrival at the third accused
person’s compound, he delivered the said gas bottles, which he sold for D15,000
but was paid D7,000 leaving a balance of D8,000 and left for his home.
He
testified that whilst at home, he received a phone call from the third accused,
Sheikh A.T. Ndongo, requesting him to come to Bakoteh Police Station.
The
accused further testified that the third accused called again whilst he was on
his way to Bakoteh Police Station, where he finally arrived and met the third
accused.
He
said he was asked by the police the sort of items he sold to the 3rdaccused,
and told them that he sold seven gas bottles to him.
The
defence witness said he was asked several questions by the police and,
thereafter, he was placed in a cell.
The
accused also said on 5 March 2013, he was asked by the police to call the 4th
accused, which he did, and was invited to the said police station.
Upon
the arrival of the 4th accused person, the police asked them what transpired
between him and the 4th accused, which he explained.
He
was taken to a cell, and later the 4th accused was also brought to the cell.
On
6 March 2013, the police brought a document and he was asked to thumb-print the
said document, adding that on 7 March 2013 he was transferred to Bundung Police
Station and informed that he was charged with murder.
The
accused told the court that he was surprised that he was charged with murder,
and that he does not know the deceased, Amadou Bah.
The
matter was then adjourned until 24 November 2016, for cross-examination.
