The 11 counts indictment trial involving Mr. Alieu BM John recently continued at the Kanifing Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Joseph Ikpalla with the testimony of the fifth prosecution witness, one Inspector Dello Baldeh.
Testifying before the court, Inspector Dello Baldeh, a police officer attached to the Fraud Squad, told the court that he recognised the accused and could also recall meeting the accused at the Fraud Squad office when he came to write his statements.
According to him, one
He said he questioned the accused, who volunteered to write his own statements.
When asked by Prosecutor ASP Bojang whether he could recognise the statements written by the accused, he replied in the affirmative. He identified the statement that was later tendered in court as an exhibit.
He said a request for information was sent to the General Manager of the Gambia Groundnut Cooperation (GGC) as to whether the said spare parts were supplied to them and a request for an expert opinion was also sent to a handwriting expert to determine the signatures of both parties in the contract.
According to him, there was a confirmation from the GGC that the said spare parts were supplied by the accused and that there was a confirmation from the handwriting expert that the signatures were that of the accused.
Inspector Baldeh concluded by saying that after the investigation, the case file was sent to the Officer Commanding Fraud Squad for advice and directives.
The case was adjourned to 20January 2010.
