Yorro Sallah, a prosecution witness, yesterday testified at the Kanifing Magistrates’ court in a case involving four accused persons.
Momodou Mamar Ceesay, Gibril Badjie, Alimo Bah and Ebrima Kassir are being tried on charges of conspiracy to commit a felony, theft, trustees fraudulent disposingof property, and abuse of office.
Mr Sallah told the court he works as a driver and that he knew something about a transaction of a property in Jeshwang.
He said he could remember on a certain day when the first accused, Momodou Mamar Ceesay, came to him with two gentlemen, one by the name Alasan Bah, but could not remember the name of the other guy.
He said they informed him that they had a compound for sale at Jeshwang and Alasan Bah asked him to go with him to visit the said compound, and if it was a good compound, he would buy it for his younger brother, one Idrissa Bah, to which he agreed.
They visited the compound and were satisfied that it was a very good location, Mr Sallah said, adding that he asked the first accused about the title deed or papers relating to the said compound.
He revealed in his evidence that the first accused produced some documents and showed them to him.
He said Alasan Bah then asked the first accused for them to go to the alkalo to confirm, adding that they accompanied the first accused to the alkalo’s compound and after a while they came out with a document, saying the alkalo had confirmed that those documents were meant for the said compound.
Still testifying, Mr Sallah said they later went to the area council and explained to the clerk that the first accused sold a land to them at Jeshwang.
He said the first accused then showed the clerk the documents, who upon a search in their book told them the compound belonged to the first accused.
The witness further told the court that they informed the clerk that they were going to discuss the price and if they agreed, they would come back and change the name.
He said they discussed the price and agreed at D275, 000 and consulted a lawyer who prepared some documents and they paid the agreed price to the first accused.
He said the lawyer advised them to go to the area council to make transfer for ownership to Idrissa Bah, which they did, adding that the lawyer prepared three documents and gave one to the first accused, one to Alasan Bah and the lawyer kept the other.
The witness further adduced that he told the first accused to give notice to the tenants and also told them he had sold the compound.
He said that at the police station he was asked about the transaction.
Hearing continues on 6 April 2012.
