Disobedience to lawful order trial opens

The trial of disobedience to lawful order involving Assan Sarjo, Modou L. Badjie, Mustapha Jatta, Amadou Jammeh, Ebrima Colley and Adnes Manjang commenced on Tuesday at the Brikama Magistrate’ Court before Magistrate Abeke.

Testifying for the prosecution, Sgt 668 Ebrima F.M. Badjie told the court that he is a police officer attached to Giboro Police Station.

He said he recognised the accused persons and on 9 March 2011 he was on duty at the Giboro Police Station when he received a complaint from one Musa Sonko of Talokoto Village that some people were working on a land restricted by the Governor of the West Coast Region, Lamin Sanneh.

Sgt Badjie further adduced that the complaint was booked in the diary, adding that he left for the scene together with 1st Class Ismaila Fatty and the complainant, Musa Sonko.

“The scene was between Gidda and Talokoto Village. Upon arrival, we met the accused persons working on the said piece of land. I explained myself to them and effected arrest on them,” Sgt Badjie told the court.

He said the working tools found with the accused persons were three cutlasses, two spades, two pick axes, two molding block instruments and a wheelbarrow.

He added that at the police station, cautionary and voluntary statements were obtained from the accused persons.

The working tools were later tendered and admitted as exhibits.

The case was then adjourned until 20 April 2011.