Abdourahman Jallow, the first prosecution witness in the case involving Haddy Jatta, Kabiro Darboe and Momodou Secka, bankers at BSIC bank, who were charged with conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent false accounting, on 28 January 2015 continued his testimony under cross-examination by defence lawyer Mendy before Magistrate Tabally of the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court.
Chief Inspector Touray, who was assisted by Inspector Jarju, announced his representation for the state.
Lawyer Mendy reminded the witness that he was asked to produce the receipt to show that he paid $68,969.
In response, Jallow told the court that he had brought an RTGS document, issued to him when he paid the $68,969.
The defence counsel put it to him that the RTGS document was not a receipt showing the payment of the $68,969.
However, Jallow insisted that it was the bank that gave him the RTGS document, when he paid the $68,969.
He testified under cross-examination that he did not know what was written on the RTGS document, when asked whether he knew what was written on it.
It was further put to him that he did not have any receipt for the $68,969 he sold to the bank.
He said it was Samba Mballow, whom he sent to the bank to pay the $68,969, who had confirmed that he had paid the $68,969 to the BSIC bank around 1 pm.
At this juncture, lawyer Mendy applied to tender the said RTGS document.
Chief Inspector Touray did not raise any objection, and the application was granted.
The defence counsel asked the witness whether he could identify the figure written on the said RTGS document, and he said he could not.
It was put to him that there was nowhere on the document where the $68,969 was stated.
In response, Jallow said he did not know, and that it was the RTGS document that was given to him when he paid the money.
Lawyer Mendy again put it to him that the document was not issued to him by BSIC bank or given to another person.
Mr Jallow maintained that the bank issued him the said document.
The defence counsel further challenged him, reminding Jallow that he told the court that Samba Mballow gave him the document at 1 pm, but according to the said document, the time stated was 4 pm.
Jallow then answered that he did not know about that.
He was again asked whether he told the court that it was the bank that told him that he paid $68,969, but the money was not seen.
He said he did so, and also indicated this in his statement.
At this juncture, a document was shown to him and asked if it was his statement.
He told the court that he could not read it, but could identify his signature on it.
Lawyer Mendy applied to tender the statement, and the prosecutor did not object; her application was granted.
Asked whether the statement was translated to him, he said it was not.
The defence counsel asked him whether he could verify the truth of the statement, and Jallow told the court that he could not verify the truth of the statement but the contents were his, adding that he could not tell the contents of the document because he is illiterate.
Lawyer Mendy then said he did not speak the truth, but Jallow maintained that he did so.
The defence counsel told the court that since Lawyer Mboge was representing the third accused, Momodou Secka, he would cross-examine the witness at the next adjournment date, as she was holding brief for Mboge.
The case was subsequently adjourned to 3 February 2015.
