The
criminal case involving the state against seven accused persons resumed
yesterday, before Justice E. Dada of the High Court in Banjul.
The
accused persons are Oumie Saffiatou Jallow, Mansa Bah, Ousman Sowe, S. D York,
Alpha Kanteh, Abdou Camara and Kemo Fatty.
They
were indicted on three counts of conspiracy to defraud, obtaining money by
false pretense and cheating.
The
prosecution alleged that the accused persons between December 2013 and March
2014 in the Kanifing Municipality and diverse places in The Gambia, conspired
to defraud one Abdoulie Bittaye the sum of seven million, four hundred and
sixty-five thousand dalasi (D7,465,000).
The
prosecution further alleged that the accused persons with intent to defraud
obtained the said sum of money from Abdoulie Bittaye, with the representation
that they were to sell 50 kilograms of gold, which representation they knew to
be false.
It
was also alleged that the accused persons by fraudulent trick and device
obtained from Abdoulie Bittaye the said money being payment made for the
purposes of 50 kilograms of gold, which they never supplied.
The
prosecution led by state counsel A. Mendy called the second prosecution
witness, Abdoulie Bittaye, who testified on oath and told the court that he is
an entrepreneur and a consultant.
The
witness said he knew the accused persons and that, sometime in August 2013, he
was introduced to the 4th accused by one Sedat Bittaye while he was in England
at the time.
He
said he was told that the 4th accused would offer prayers because it was a new
business, as it was in Africa that his partners felt the need to explore
spiritual blessings.
The
witness added that due to logistical challenges in terms of flight schedule, they
decided to fly to Sierra Leone and The Gambia and back.
The
witness further said they finally arrived in The Gambia, and Sedat Bittaye was
waiting with a four-wheel drive, but due to constant break down of the vehicle,
they finally arrived at Buduk village, the village of the 4th accused, in the
evening and they were offered food.
He
told the court that during the course of meeting the 4th accused, they found
him in a big gathering with people fanning him, and he had a long cutlass and
he told them that he saw their future.
The
witness said the 4th accused requested for 10,000 pounds sterling from him and
his colleagues, and that offering in the form of cow and camel would be
slaughtered, adding that the 4th accused displayed some arrogance and was threatening
in nature.
He
further said the 4th accused took them to a very dark spot on top of a hill,
where his genie and beings are been stationed.
The
witness revealed that the 4th accused requested that they individually climb up
to meet him, where he will be talking to his beings and demanded that he buys a
goat to be slaughtered there.
Hearing
continues today.
