"They claim that they are NIA Officers attached to President's Office"

Modou Mbaye, a businessman residing in Serrekunda told the Kanifing Magistrates' Court that Mr. Abucarr Bah is indeed one of the guys who came to his shop and claimed to be working for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).

Mr. Mbye was testifying for the prosecution in the criminal trial involving one Abucarr Bah, who was charged for impersonation.

According to the charge sheet, Mr. Abucarr Bah on 9October 2008, at Serrekunda impersonated to be personnel of the NIA.

In his evidence-in- chief, Mr. Mbaye, testifying as the third witness for the prosecution told the court that he recognised the accused person and recalled that sometime in October 2008, he had money transaction with one Omar Cham.

He adduced that the alleged impersonator came to his place and said that one Omar Cham sent him to collect his money.

 He said the accused telephoned Mr. Cham that he had arrived, and that he even spoke to Omar Cham over the phone.

He told the court that the accused has recorded his statement at his work place and told him that they would be back the following day.

Still giving his version of the story, Mr. Mbaye explained that the accused had failed to return on the following day, only to later come back with one police officer at a time he was about to travel.

He further adduced that when he returned from his travel, he called the accused but couldn't reach him. He said he was later informed by one police officer that the accused had a problem. He said when he enquired from the police officer as to what was the problem; all he could tell him was that "the problem is a sensitive one".

Mr. Mbaye further told the court that he was called to go and answer at NIA office in Banjul, from where he learnt that the accused was in fact not NIA personnel.

He said at the NIA he found Omar Cham.

The case was adjourned to the 15 June 2009.