Defence continues in Babylon alkalo and Co trial

Defence continued yesterday in the trial involving Lamin B. Jarju, the alkalo of Babylon village, and Muhammed Lamin Jersey, who were charged with obstruction, before Principal Magistrate Dayoh M. Small-Dago of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court.

In his defence testimony, Muhammed Lamin Jersey said he was from Babylon village and a businessman by profession.

He said he was in the village when he saw many people in the compound and he went to his brother to ask him what was happening but one of the police officers stopped him from entering the compound.

He said he did not know the reason he was invited at the police station until when his brother was talking with Commissioner Benjamin Wilson.

Jersey said they were discussing towards the police vehicle and the commissioner asked him not to enter the police vehicle because he only wanted to discuss with him.

Later his brother, his friend and the commissioner entered in his brother’s vehicle, he said, adding that there was no confrontation between his brother and the police.

He said they did not do anything to break the law because they are citizens of the country and they did not arrange any group to obstruct the work of the police.

He said he went to report at the police station about the man who came to demolish people’s houses and one of the officers recognised him as Lamin’s brother and said to him that when they went to arrest Lamin, he was among those who resisted.

Jersey further said he did not make any statement at the police station but they took his thumb-print.

Under cross-examination, the 2nd accused said he was standing under a tree when they came.

“I did not say that they stop me from entering the house,” he said, adding that he did not know the reason the police commissioner went for his brother.

The case was adjourned till 5 May 2014.