Trial of former alkalo and co opens

The criminal trial of Alagie Kujabi, former alkalo of Makumbaya village, and two others commenced recently at the Brikama Magistrates' Court.

Alagie Kujabi, Babucarr Mendy and Yankuba Jammeh were charged with giving false information to a public officer.

Testifying as the first prosecution witness, CPL 2703 Yerro Saidy, a police officer, attached to the Major Crime Unit, told the court that on 24 December 2009, he was on duty when he received a letter through the office of the Inspector General of Police.

He said the letter was from the office of the President directing the Inspector General of Police to go to the farms of one Babucarr Mendy and Besenty Gomez that there were some individuals that  had encroached on their cashew farmland.

CPL 2703 Saidy further stated that a panel comprising various units of the police headed by ASP Jadama of which he was a member visited the site.

"At Makumbaya Village, we were led by the former alkalo, Alagie Kujabi, to the various farmlands and saw that none of the cashew trees were felled down," he explained, adding: "We returned to the police station and the accused persons were charged with giving false information."

Hearing continues.