Defence opens in alleged theft case

Muhammed Cham, an accused person, recently testified at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court in defence of allegation of stealing cement sales money levelled against him.

In his testimony, Cham, who says he is a driver, told the court that he worked for the complainant, an uncle of his, for eleven years.

He said his uncle used to give bags of cement to him to sell on his behalf, as well as a place to sell at Gacem for three months.

“The first month I started selling the cement, the complainant told me to sell the cement at a price of D175 per bag,” he explained.

Cham denied stealing the money from the sales, as well as taking the quantity of the cement the complainant was claiming.

He added that the 45 bags of cement had no receipt, but the 500 bags had receipts which he received from Gacem. He added that the total amount of the cement was D90,000.

“I gave the money to someone to procure a visa for me but unfortunately I could not succeed and I was later arrested and detained until I was brought to court, and a statement was obtained from me,” he said.

According to the charge sheet, in August 2010, in the Kanifing Industrial Area, Kanifing Municipality, the accused, Muhammed Cham, stole D214,200, being the proceeds from 1190 bags of cement, the property of one Ousman Joof.

Magistrate Tabally adjourned the case till 23 December 2010.