Ousainou Jammeh, an army officer and driver in the
presidential convoy, who is standing trial for the offence of dangerous
driving, yesterday opened his defence at the Bundung Magistrates’ Court before
Magistrate Landing Sanneh.
He told the court that he is a soldier, and lives at Latrikunda, and he denied the allegation that he was driving carelessly.
Officer Jammeh told the court that he was escorting the President of the Republic of The Gambia. Upon their arrival at Senegambia, a vehicle joined the road and he decided to avoid the vehicle; that was the time he hit the two commercial vehicles that were stationed off the road.
He added that he disembarked from the vehicle to see whether the drivers of the vehicle were on board, adding that he was told that the driver of one of the vehicles was around, but he did not personally see him.
He said the traffic police visited the scene, and took measurements, further stating that he was subsequently issued with a warning latter.
The defendant further told the court that the two drivers were called to State House, but Momodou Taal, one of the drivers, said he had sold his car.
He then discussed with the one driver, with his seniors, and showed the driver another car.
“I told him to use the parts of that vehicle and transfer them to his own vehicle,” adding that the 2nd driver eventually came demanding D90, 000, which he did not have.
The case continues on 12 September 2012.