The trial
of former Minister of Regional Administrations, Lands and Traditional Rulers,
Lamin Waa Juwara, and two others, yesterday proceeded with the cross
examination of the third prosecution witness, Cherno Bojang , at the Banjul
Magistrates’ Court before Principal Magistrate Hilary Abeke.
The other accused persons are Hamidou Jallow, principal lands and valuation officer at the said Ministry, and Tamsir Onasis Konteh, a local businessman.
Under cross examination, Bojang told the court that the former alkalo of Tanji village, MB Bojang, is his brother.
Asked by the defence counsel, Sheriff Tambedou, to tell the court the relationship between him and the first accused person, Tamsir Onasis Conteh, the witness told the court that their mothers are from the same mother and father.
He added that his mother’s name is Awa Jatta and Konteh’s mother is called Ya Ida Jatta.
Asked by counsel whether he knows everybody owning land in Tanji village, the witness told the court that he does not, even though the village was founded by his ancestors.
“I cannot know all of them,” he said.
He said he and his late brother own land in Tanji, which they inherited.
He added that the land near the sea side belongs to the family, but the government later made it reserve land.
Counsel gave him some documents to look at, and asked whether he recognized the signatures on them. The witness told the court that he recognized them as signatures of his late brother.
Further asked by counsel where compound or land owners paid rates, he said at the area council’s office.
At that juncture, the case was adjourned to 3 March 2014.
