Businessman testifies in assault case

Jaley Jobe, a businessman, recently testified before Magistrate Drammeh of the Kanifing Magistrates' Court in the trial of one Bakary Jammeh, who was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.

In his testimony, Jaley Jobe told the court that he recognized the accused and that, on 4 May 2011, the accused was riding a bicycle in their compound and wanted to hit a woman.

He said he told the accused person that the compound gate was small for him to ride a bicycle through, adding that the accused insulted him and wanted to fight him, but they were separated by some people.

The prosecution witness further told the court that the accused came out and started to insult him again, adding that the accused went to his working place with a hammer.

He said he also picked up the chair he was sitting on, adding that the accused hit him with a hammer on his face and mouth, as a result of which he lost two of his teeth.

He adduced that he reported the matter to the Serekunda Police Station, and later went to the hospital for treatment.

According to the charge sheet, on 4 May 2011 at Serekunda in the Kanifing Municipality, the accused, Bakary Jammeh, assaulted one Jaley Jobe by using a hammer on his face, and thereby caused actual bodily harm.

He was granted court bail of D25,000 with a Gambian surety, who must deposit an ID card.

The case was adjourned to 11 May 2011.