Momodou Lamin Jarju, alias Rongo, recently opened his defence in the false information case involving him and his father, Alhagie Lamin Jarju, at the Brikama Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Abeke.
Rongo told the court he did not know the land they were referring to as communal land in Banjulinding.
When told by his counsel that the various prosecution witnesses had testified that Landing Kotoring Janneh had allocated the said land to the community as reserved land, Rongo denied, saying Landing Kotoring Janneh had never got a farm land in Banjulinding, and therefore would not be in position to give out a reserved land there to the community.
Designated as defence witness one (DW1), Rongo told the court that Landing Kotoring Janneh was a very nice and honest person, adding that he was the first Alkalo of Banjulinding.
He added that the said Landing Kotoring Janneh passed away since 1991.
Rongo also informed the court that when Landing Kotoring Janneh passed away, his son, Eric Tundeh Janneh, became the Alkalo of Banjulinding.
When also told that if there was a reserved land given to the community of Banjulinding by the late Landing Kotoring Janneh, Eric Tundeh Janneh would have been aware of it, Rongo responded in the affirmative, saying it would have been documented.
He was given a bunch of papers by his counsel to look whether he would see any statement obtained from Eric Tundeh Janneh, because statements recorded from various people were in that exhibits.
Rongo said he had not seen any statement in that set of exhibits obtained from Eric Tundeh Janneh.
When asked again by his counsel what connection does he have with that communal land, Rongo said traditionally and officially, the said land belonged to him and he has documents to it.
Asked further by his counsel who provided the enclosure 1, 4, 5 and 6, Rongo said he did not know. “They might get it from the ministry,” he said.
He adduced that he provided most of his official and traditional documents including the judgement over the said land at the High Court and magistrate court.
When asked by his counsel to tell over what issue the judgment was, Rongo said the judgement was over his land against Eric Tundeh Janneh.
The case continues on 5 December 2012.
