Defence opens in case of multiple offences

The trial involving four accused persons continued recently at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Edward Singhateh.

Lamin Jammeh, Sheriffo Bojang, Foday Jammeh and Kabiro Jatta are all standing trial on charges of criminal trespass, threatening violence, common assault, and maliciousness to property.

In his defence testimony, the accused, Lamin Jammeh, told the court that he did not threaten the complainants.

He told the court that the complainants trespassed into their farmland, adding that the said land in dispute “belongs” to his family of the Jammeh Kunda family in Gunjur.

According to him, the Sanyang Kunda family, who settled in Berending Village, was settled by his grandparents and the land in dispute was the land where the Sanyang Kunda family of Berending used to farm during the raining season.

He testified that the Sanyang Kunda family would borrow that land from the Jammeh Kunda family and after the raining season they would return to the Jammeh Kunda family, adding that this relationship had been going on for many years.

Still testifying, he told the court that after the Jammeh Kunda family noticed that there were some activities done on the said land, they sent a message to the Berending Alkalo expressing their dissatisfaction about the activities done on the land.

He said the Jammeh Kunda family took the matter to the district tribunal and eventually won the case.

The case was at that juncture was adjourned till 7 June 2011.