Amadou Bailo Camara, who is standing trial alongside two other accused persons, at the Kanifing Magistrates' Court, for fraudulently receiving D1.5m from one Kemo Dibasy, testified on 15th April 2010 before magistrate Drammeh.
Testifying before the court, while being led by his defence counsel, L.K. Mboge, the accused (Amadou Bailo Camara) told the court that he lives at Latrikunda Sabiji and that he is a driver.
He further stated that for the first time he met both the first and third accused persons at Kairaba Police Station, three years ago.
He informed the court that he was arrested, and taken to Kairaba Police Station, where he spent the night, and that the third accused person met him there.
He added that he knew the complainant, Kemo Dibasy, three years ago.
Lawyer Mboge reminded him that he was charged on two counts, that is, conspiracy to commit a felony and obtaining money by false pretence. The accused, Amadou Bailo Camara, denied the allegation and stated that he never conspired with other accused persons to obtain D1.5 million from the complainant by false pretence.
Mr. Camara went on to tell the court that he only discussed with the complainant about animal skins. He said that he consulted one Senegalese, called Nyang, about animal skins and was told by the Senegalese that he had collected some animal skins. They agreed on a price of D75, 000, he told the court.
Further testifying, the accused revealed that he informed the complainant about the price of the animal skins, but the complainant told him that he had no money on him, and was going to Basse to get the money.
He denied that the complainant gave him D50, 000 for the purchase of a bottle of liquid. He also denied washing some notes with the liquid to produce some banknotes.
Inspector Mballow, the prosecuting officer, during cross-examination, put it to the accused that he wanted the court to believe that he met the other accused persons at the Kairaba Police Station for the first time, and that he never knew them before then. The accused answered in the positive.
"You never saw them, you never knew them, and you were all charged with the offences. Do you want the court to believe this?" Inspector Mballow asked.
"Yes," the accused told the court.
"I am putting it to you that you are not speaking the truth," Inspector Mballow said.
"I have spoken the truth," the accused responded.
The case was then adjourned to 28th April 2010 for continuation.
