Prosecution case closes in cement theft trial

The prosecution Monday announced the closure of the prosecution case in the criminal trial of one Muhammed Cham, who was alleged to have stolen 1190 bags of cement.

Testifying before Magistrate Tabally of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court, the last prosecution witness, Muhammed Jarju, told the court that he was employed as a driver by the complainant and that he recognised the accused person.

He added that he could recall when the complainant, Ousman Joof, was about to travel to Nigeria he handed over his cement business to the accused person.

According to the witness, on his return from Nigeria, he learnt that the accused had left the country.

He stated that the complainant went to meet him at Bambo Cement and told him he was going to lodge a complaint regarding the matter at the Wellingara Police Station.

"On our way to the station, the accused called me on my phone and said to me that he was in Senegal and was about to travel to Europe," Mr Jarju told the court.

He further adduced that the said 1190 bags of cement used by the accused were brought from Bambo Cement by the complainant.

He also adduced that his statement was recorded at the Welligara Police Station.  At this juncture, the case was adjourned till 26 October 2010 for a hearing from the defence.