The criminal trial involving Jerreh Jarju, officer commanding National Drug Enforcement Agency (NDEA) West Coast Region, and Samba Camara, station officer at Sibanor Police Station, continued last Thursday at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court before Magistrate Babucarr Secka.
The two are being tried on four counts of official corruption, public officer receiving property to show favour, abuse of office, and conspiracy to commit misdemeanour, charges which both have denied.
Testifying under cross examination, the fourth prosecution witness, Baba Badjie, admitted that Nabi Jarju was arrested with cannabis and that he (the witness) was in court because of the two accused persons’ case.
When asked by defence counsel Kebba Sanyang whether Nabi Jarju, the second prosecution witness (PW2), is currently living in his village, the witness answered in the positive.
Counsel further asked him whether he knows that it was in connection with the cannabis that was found with PW2 that brought him before the court, the witness said he was not aware of that.
Counsel Sanyang then put it to him that Nabi Jarju was not being charge for possession of cannabis, and the witness still maintained that he did not know.
When further quizzed by counsel, who said the reason why Nabi Jarju was not charged, was because he lied against the first accused person, the witness said he was not aware of that.
The witness further admitted to the court that he was not present when Nabi alleged that he gave the money to the first accused person.
Defence counsel Kebba Sanyany again put it to him that, when he was called to the police station, he told the police that he did not give any money to the first accused person, Jerreh Jarju.
The witness in his reply stated that the first accused told him to say that he did not receive any money.
Counsel then put it to him that he never had any discussion with the first accused person, but the witness said he did have a discussion with the first accused.
At that juncture the case was adjourned till 28 February 2011.
