NDEA OC, SO Sibanor Police trial continues

The trial involving Samba Camara, officer commanding National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) Western Region and Jarreh Jarju, station officer Sibanor Police Station continued recently at the Brikama Magistrates' Court.

Continuing his testimony under cross-examination by defence counsel Kebba Sanyang, the prosecution's second witness, Nabi Jarju, told the court that he made a statement at the Sibanor Police Station.

When asked by the defence counsel whether he would recognize the said statement, the witness replied in the negative. Further asked why he would not recognise the said statement, Jarju replied, "I am an illiterate." He told the court that he thumb printed the said statement.

At this juncture, counsel Kebba Sanyang applied to tender the said statement for identification purposes. This application was, however, objected to by the police prosecutor, Superintendent Trawally, on the grounds that no proper foundation was laid by the defence in applying to tender the said statement.

Further asked whether after making the statement at the police station, a case file was compiled, the witness replied in the negative. "I am putting it to you that after having made your statement, you accepted and you were charged with possession of drugs, and a case file was open for that."

The witness denied being detained at the Sibanor Police Station, while statements were being obtained from other witnesses. He admitted under cross examination that he and the alleged drugs were transported to Banjul for weighing, but the drugs were not weighed on that day as they do not belong to him.

He also admitted under cross-examination that when he was being taken to Banjul, he was escorted by Jerreh Jarjue, the second accused person. The witness further admitted being detained for three months when challenged by counsel Sanyang as to how long he was detained. He also said that, while under detention, he was confronted with the second accused at the Director of Operation's office.