Seyone Alkalo Testifies In Former Siffoe Farm Manager's Trial

The trial of Karafa Sanneh, the former Siffoe Farm Manager, continued on Monday at the Brikama Magistrates' Court.

Mr. Sanneh is charged with giving false information to public officer, a charge he denied.

The Monday sitting saw the testimony of Matarr Badjie, the Alkalo of Seyone Village.

Matarr Badjie told the court that during the farming season in the year 2008, they harvested 49 bags of rice and 10 bags of coos.

He adduced that he then sent somebody to the accused, Karafa Sanneh to collect them for onward dispatch to President Jammeh. He said the guy came back only to tell them that Mr. Sanneh said the President doesn't want their coos and rice, noting that this was in the presence of three other people, namely Karafa Colley, Abdul Manneh and Samsideen Jatta.

He further stated that he personally confronted the accused but he continually insisted that he was not going to receive the items on behalf of the President. As he testified, he did not want them. He said to his surprise the items were taken to the President and were accordingly accepted.

Under cross-examination, the Defence Counsel, Buba Jawo, put it to Mr. Badjie that it is not true that the accused had said that the President did not want the rice and coos. In response Mr. Badjie maintained that it was true, as the person he sent for is trustworthy.

Magistrate Effim then adjourned the case to 16th December 2009.