The trial involving the former Minister for Local Government and Lands, Lamin Waa Juwara, Monday proceeded before Magistrate Janneh of the Brikama Magistrates’ Court.
The trial proceeded with the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness (PW1), the Jamburr alkalo Kebba Bojang.
Under cross-examination, Waa Juwara asked the witness if, according to the charge sheet, Jarreh Kunda is a kabilo within Jamburr, and the witness replied in the affirmative.
Asked how a kabilo could be within a kabilo, the witness said Sinchu Gidom is within the kabilo of Jarreh kunda and the people staying there are the settlers of Jarreh kunda, since the land was given to them.
“So Sinchu Gidom people are settlers and not members of an extended family?”
“Jarreh Kunda is the owner of the land, and they were the ones who settled Sinchu Gidom,” the Jamburr alkalo replied.
Further asked how many compounds are in Jarreh Kunda, the witness said he did not know.
Juwara put it to him that Jamburr comprises 350 compounds, but the witness maintained that he did not know.
“I am putting it to you that you are an alkalo collecting rates, yet you don’t know how many compounds are in Jamburr.”
“I mentioned in my statement that when people come to pay their rates, I advised them to go to the area council’s office,” the witness replied.
“You will agree with me that all settlements in the country, big or small, have Alkalos except Banjul, so how come Sinchu Gidom is an exception?” asked Juwara.
“There is no place without an Alkalo, but Sinchu Gidom is within Jamburr and never had an Alkalo,” the witness replied.
“Jarreh Kunda are the Bojangs?” asked the accused person.
“Yes, they are,” replied the witness.
“There is no single Bojang Kunda in Sinchu Gidom,” said the accused.
“I only knew one Bojang Kunda residing in Sinchu Gidom,” replied the witness.
Juwara told the court that according to the charge sheet, it was Baboucarr Sillah that was appointed by him as Alkalo of Sinchu Gidom. He asked why Momodou Jallow was removed as Alkalo of Sinchu Gidom.
The witness said he did not know because he did not prepare the charge sheet.
“I am putting it to you that it was you and the elders of Jamburr who filed a complaint with the NIA, which eventually reached the President’s Office from where the charge emanated,” said Juwara.
“I was just appointed as Alkalo of Jamburr, and if the elders take a decision I cannot do much about it,” said the witness.
“It was clearly stated that it was you and the elders of Jamburr who lodged a complaint and now you are denying it,” Juwara said.
“I did not prepare any charge sheet, so I don’t know anything about it,” the witness said.
The case continues on 15 December 2014.
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