Alleged cement theft case continues

The criminal trial involving one Muhammed Cham continued recently at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Tabally.

Cham was alleged to have stolen D214,200, being the proceeding of 1190 bags of cement handed to him by the complainant, Ousman Joof, his uncle.

Testifying, Lie Joof, a defence witness, told the court that he is a carpenter and that he resides in Jeswang, adding that he knew the accused person.

“The accused worked for the complainant for 11 years without being paid salary,” the witness told the court.

He further adduced that the last time he went to the accused to buy cement, he found the complainant in the store with the accused.

The defence witness explained that the accused told him he had sold a bag of cement at D178 in the presence of his uncle, the complainant.

“After two weeks I went to the store, I did not find the accused and I learnt that he had problem with the complainant,” he said, adding that he did not buy the cement when the accused was not in the store.

He alleged that before the incident, he saw the accused counting money with his uncle in the store.

Under cross-examination by the prosecuting officer, CPL 3560 Colley, the defence witness told the court that he and the accused were neighbours, but he never worked with the accused person.

When asked whether he saw the accused handing over money to the complainant, the defence witness replied in the affirmative, saying he saw the money but could not estimate the amount.

He adduced further that the accused told him that 90 bags of cement were handed over to him by his uncle, denying fabricating any evidence in court.

The case was adjourned until 28 February 2011 for Judgment.