Alieu Jarju, ex-councilor of Marakisa Ward, recently testified in the trial of Alhagie Omar A.B. Faye, the alkalo of Busura village, who is currently standing trial at the Brikama Magistrates' Court for alleged abuse of office.
In his testimony, Alieu Jarju told the court that, in 2002, there was an association called "Alatentu Kaffo", that went to the accused and told him that they needed plot of land to develop.
He added that the accused then called the villagers and discussed the matter with them, which they all agreed to, and asked the accused to give the land to "Alatantu Kaffo", which was cleared by the accused person's father, Alieu Badara Faye, an Islamic scholar.
According to the witness, the land was located at Busura village, adding that the said association started to develop the land by digging a borehole and also planting some trees there.
"I later received a letter from the Jarju Kunda family claiming ownership of the said land, because I was the then councilor of Marakisa ward," he added.
"I did not reply to them, because I knew they were not telling the truth," Jarju further told the court.
Under cross-examination by the police prosecutor, CPL 358 Sarr, the witness admitted that he is a citizen of Busura village, and also knew that Busura was founded some 60 years ago.
He said he could not tell where Busura has the boundary with other villages.
The presiding magistrate Edward Singhateh subsequently adjourned the case till 19th June 2011.
