Senior
defence counsel Antouman Gaye yesterday continued cross-examining the tenth
prosecution witness (PW10), Alassan Ndoye, in the trial involving the former
Secretary General and Minister for Presidential Affairs, Momodou Sabally,
before Justice Amadi of the Special Criminal Court in Banjul.
Counsel asked the witness whether the second time he (Ndoye) went to State House, he met with General Badjie, Lt Colonel Ansumana Tamba, and one Dibba.
“Yes,” the witness replied.
“You parked the cars at State House and handed over the keys to Lt Colonel Ansumana Tamba, according to your statement at the NIA.”
“Yes, it is true,” said the witness.
“PW2, the man who introduced you to PW1, Sheikh Omar, told the court that at the accused’s house no price was discussed,” counsel said.
“I was not in court. I was in America,” said the witness.
Ndoye further said that PW2 said at the NIA that he did not hear the price of the vehicles.
“I am putting it to you that PW2 said that no price was discussed,” counsel further quizzed the witness.
“What PW2 said is that he did not hear any price agreement,” replied the witness.
“I am putting it to you that at no time, whether in the accused’s house or at State House, did the accused ever discuss the price of the vehicles with you.”
“Of course, we talked about price,” said the witness.
“What you told the court, that the accused offered you 50 million CFA and you told him to make it 55 million CFA, is not true.”
“It is true,” said the witness.
“You said PW1 came to your house in Dakar?”
“Yes.”
“What did he tell you, when he came?”
“He said he was sent by the accused, and added that he brought three projects.”
“I am putting it to you that the accused did not send PW1 to you in Dakar.”
“He was the one between me and the accused, so anything he told me I will believe that.”
“The evidence we have before the court is that PW1 went to Dakar on his own business.”
“I am not sure.”
“You are a businessman, are you not?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Do you own a bank?”
“Yes.”
“Tell us the name of your bank?”
“I now said I do not own a bank, but I have an account.”
“You said at July 22nd Square, when you were introduced to the President, you told the court that you asked the President whether he had been told about the cars.”
“Yes, I said so.”
“I am putting it to you that, that piece of evidence was cooked by you, but it did not take place.”
“Yes, it happened and I can explain.”
“You said you told the President about urban development, and that you want to help The Gambia.”
“Yes, I said so to the President.”
“You also told the court that, in answer, the President told you that if you help The Gambia you would not regret it.”
“Yes.”
“I am putting it to you that part of your evidence is a figment of your imagination.”
“It is not, and I can explain.”
“I told the President that I want to help The Gambia, but I don’t want a backstabber and my conversation with him was about 8 minutes,” Ndoye told the court.
“I suppose you forgot to put all this in your statement at the NIA,” said counsel.
“I did not state it in my statement,” Ndoye replied.
Hearing continues on 15 June 2015.
