Two more
prosecution witnesses yesterday testified in the trial involving Ebrima Solo
Sandeng, a United Democratic Party militant, accused of giving false
information to a public officer, at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court before
Magistrate AA Jagne.
First to testify was one Cherno Bojang, who said he did not know the accused but could recall what happened on 23 November 2013.
He said on the day in question, he was at Brufut and his son, Lamin Bojang, called him on the phone and asked him to talk to one Muhammed Jaiteh.
He said his son told him that Sunkaru said they wanted to hold a party at the center, but he told them they should seek for a permit and he hung up the phone.
Asked if he could recall what happened on 30 December, the witness replied in the negative.
Further asked by the prosecutor, whether he was ever called anywhere regarding this matter, the witness answered in the affirmative, saying that he was called at the NIA office to give evidence in connection with the case.
The prosecutor asked him whether he was aware of any meeting held on that day, and the witness answered in the negative.
Asked whether he knew the message he relayed to Muhammed was adhered to, he said he did not know and he also did not know the people who wanted to conduct the party.
Under cross-examination by defence counsel Ousainou Darboe, who asked him if he was the alkalo at the time, the witness replied in positive.
“How many years have you been there?” asked counsel.
“Five years,” replied PW3.
“Who was there before you?”
“MB Bojang”.
“How many years did he spend there?”
“More than 30years”.
“Who is now the Alkalo?”
“Demba Bojang.”
“So it is true that the Alkaloship was with your family”.
“Yes”.
“Can you recall the day you were removed as an alkalo”.
“It is not too long ago, but I can’t remember the actual date”.
“Who removed you as the alkalo of Tanji”.
“A letter was sent to me by the government”.
Next to testify was one Lamin Bojang, a businessman from Tanji, who said he did not know the accused and had never seen him before.
He said he could recall what happened on the 23 November 2013; that he was at home, and the manager for Tanji Community Center came and told him that some people wanted to organize a party at the center.
He said he asked him who these people were, and he said Sunkary, adding that he told them that he could not give them any feedback and he called his father to speak to Muhammed.
The prosecutor asked him whether he knew what they were talking about on the phone, and the witness said he did not know.
The prosecutor asked why he called his father, and the witness said because he was the alkalo.
He was again asked by the prosecutor whether on 30 December he knew anything that transpired in Tanji, but the witness said he did not because he went on a business trip to Basse.
Asked whether when the center’s manager came back, his father left any message for him, the witness replied in the negative.
Hearing continues on 3 March 2014.
