The sixth prosecution witness, Idrish Masade, yesterday told the high court in Banjul that it was Ensa Badjie, the former police chief, who recommended him to Sillaba Samateh.
Masade was continuing his testimony under cross-examination in the trial involving Ensa Badjie and two former military officers, Major Kuluteh Manneh and Lt. Col Mam Matarr Secka before, Justice Emmanuel Amadi.
He told the court that he knew Ensa Badjie well before Sillaba in this drugs-related case, and that he could not remember exactly when he met Ensa Badjie at Sillaba’s shop.
“I maintain that Ensa Badjie recommended me to Sillaba, because Sillaba was never open to me. Sillaba told me that as I have been recommended by Ensa Badjie, he could now trust me, and would tell me his mission, and he urged me to trust him,” the witness continued.
He added that Sillaba told him that the top military officers were assigned to him (Sillaba), adding that one Musa Jawneh told him that Sillaba was wicked because he owed Sillaba D1 million.
He further told the court that one Ikemefuena was one of Sillaba’s victims, whom he (the witness) introduced to the police at the Police headquarters.
“I did not know whether Sillaba had received money from David Aron Wright. I did not equally know whether Sillaba had also received money from one Sonny in the UK,” he added.
Masade said that Muhammed Ceesay gave 3,700 Euro to Sillaba in his presence, adding that he (Masade) also gave three thousand, one hundred and fifty Euro to transport drugs to Senegal.
He said he believed that Sillaba was collecting money from people, in the name of the accused persons, without giving them any drugs.
He also stated that he personally never saw Sillaba sell drugs, but Sillaba told him that he was selling drugs.
The case continues on Monday.
