Dembo Jatta, an artist, was recently arraigned at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Tabally and charged with shop breaking and stealing.
He did not accept responsibility, and was granted bail.
He opened his defence on 23 June 2015, following the closure of the case of the prosecution.
In his testimony, he told the court that he lives at Bakau.
He said one day, one Pa Mbye and Njogu went to his compound and asked his brother where he (the accused) was.
While he was in his room, Pa Mbye and Njogu woke him up, and he asked them to get inside.
He testified that Pa Mbye and Njogu were in possession of a fan, DVD, cassettes and wigs (false hair), adding that they asked him to sell the items for them.
Mr Jatta said he asked them whether it was safe, and they responded in the positive.
They told him that they owned the DVD, and the wig belonged to their sister.
He added that while he was standing in the corridor of Keystone Bank, he decided to go to the beachside with the items.
He sold some of them to a man, but the other items were given to a boy to keep for him and told him that he was coming back.
He said he told the person who bought some of the items that the price he gave him was not good.
He added that somebody told him that the person to whom he sold some of the items was not coming until 2 p.m.
He returned to Keystone Bank, and around 2 p.m. saw some police officers who escorted him to the CID office, where he was told that some stolen items were recovered and accused him of stealing them.
He said he denied the allegation and was asked to write his statement.
He was granted bail by the police.
Magistrate Colley presided over the case, and prosecutor 2717 Jallow represented the IGP.
Hearing continues on 1 July 2015.
