Lamin Jatta, an agent who allegedly received some money to enable one Abubacarr Darboe to travel through the back-way to Italy, which failed, was on 10 August 2015 paraded before Magistrate Kijera of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Prosecutors alleged that Lamin Jatta, the accused, obtained money by false pretence. But Mr Jatta did not accept responsibility.
Police prosecutors, Cadet Inspector Bojang and Sergeant 544 Jaiteh, asked their witness to get into the witness box and tell the court all he knew about the case.
Abubacarr Darboe, the witness, testified that he lives at Basori village and that he is a farmer.
He adduced that some time in 2014, just after the Koriteh, his brother, one Alagie Kajali Korteh, called him from Libya informing him that he had met a person who could help him cross the sea to Italy.
The amount of money he requested was D38,000 which should be paid through an agent in The Gambia who is the accused person, who lives at Kerr Sering.
Mr Darboe added that his brother gave him the contact number of Jatta, and he called the accused who directed them to his home. He was accompanied by his brother, one Ousman Darboe.
On arrival at the residence of the accused, they paid the said amount to Jatta, and called his brother and the agent in Libya and informed both of them about the payment made to Jatta.
Mr Darboe further told the court that three months later, he was informed by his brother in Libya through a telephone call that the agent in Libya had fled, adding that he was instructed to make efforts to apprehend the agent in The Gambia, who is the accused person.
A few days later, they were informed that the accused was detained at Serrekunda Police Station, adding that they went to the station and lodged their complaint.
They later met the accused at the CID office, where he was questioned as to whether he knew the witness, and Jatta confessed receiving the sum of D38,000 from the witness.
The case continues.
