Jalikebba Jobarteh, who along with other seven colleagues sued Gampetroluem for wrongful termination of their services, testified on 11 February 2014, at the Kanifing Industrial Tribunal before Magistrate Jobarteh.
In his testimony, he told the tribunal he lives at Lamin and was a security supervisor employed by the defendant.
He added that on 26 November 2008, he was employed by the defendant as security supervisor attached to the Banjul branch.
Mr Jobarteh told the tribunal he was transferred to the Brikama head office.
Lawyer Jainaba Bah-Sambou, who was representing the plaintiffs, applied to tender the appointment letter, which was photocopied for ID purposes.
Defence counsel Andrews did not raise any objection. The tribunal admitted the document.
Jalikebba Jobarteh further narrated that on 13 March 2011, he was arrested by members of the NDEA along with Mustapha Barrow, Bakary Drammeh, Ebrima Manneh, Karamo Manneh, Adama Darboe, Lamin Ceesay and Ebrima Jatta.
He posited that at the time of the arrest, they were all employees of the defendant, adding that they were charged with giving false information to a public officer.
He said that on 17 March 2011, they were called at the head office and given a letter of suspension.
At this juncture, Jainaba Bah-Sambou applied to tender the suspension letter.
Defence counsel Andrews rose and objected to the application, arguing that there was something missing in the document, and that the plaintiffs’ counsel did not lay a proper foundation.
Jainabou Bah-Sambou stood up and told the tribunal that she relied on section 3 of the Evidence Act, adding that the document contained the defendant’s logo and was signed by the Human Resources Manager.
She argued that the document was relevant and urged the tribunal to admit it.
Magistrate Jobarteh said the tribunal shall go through the document and the weight to be attached to the document would be determined.
The tribunal admitted the said document.
The case was adjourned till 26 February 2014.
